Caution urged over latest computer scam

Police are urging caution over a computer-generated scam currently in circulation, which demands a cash payment and features the New Zealand Police logo.

Officer in charge of the National Cyber Crime Centre Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Honiss says the scam features a message purporting to a demand from the NZ Police for a fine of $250 to be paid to avoid prosecution for unlawful downloading of software.

"This is a scam, known as Ransomware, and has been adapted from previous scams in the UK and Australia where the Metropolitan Police and Queensland Police logos have also been implicated. Police have had reports from a small number of Taupo and Hawkes' Bay residents in recent days who have had their computers targeted by this virus."

D/S/S Honiss says anyone who gets this computer message should not pay any money and should contact NetSafe in the first instance for assistance to unlock their computers.

He says one of the best ways to protect from viruses and scams like this is to ensure that antivirus software on computers is up to date and users have downloaded all the available security patches.

NetSafe and the Consumer Affairs Scamwatch team are aware of this latest scam and have useful information online at:

www.theorb.org.nz
www.scamwatch.org.nz

For information on how to defend yourself or your business against Ransomware, click here:

http://blog.netsafe.org.nz/2012/10/03/anti-child-porn-ransomware-hits-new-zealand-businesses/

D/S/S Honiss says anyone with any information regarding the origin of this scam should contact their nearest Police station or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.