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SALT LAKE CITY — A computer scam is starting to dupe Utahns. It leads people to believe their computers have been used to view child porn, and then tries to con them out of money.
Experts say malware known as "ransomware" is to blame. It makes it on to computers after someone clicks on a bad link in something like a phishing email.
Days, or potentially even weeks later, the malware surfaces and the computer screen freezes with a message that says the computer has been "blocked" and the IP address is under investigation for viewing of pornography or child pornography.
The malware demands the user pay via a moneypak or other means to unfreeze the computer.
"You've got to remember that the FBI and the NSA and other law enforcement agencies are not going to put a pop-up window on your computer," XMission founder Pete Ashdown said.
Regardless, the scam seems to be working on people across the country.
Over the past month, Syracuse Police said they had fielded 2 to 3 calls per week from residents who had encountered the scam.
Some of those people ended up paying the money the ransomware demanded, Syracuse Police Officer Erin Behm said.
Ashdown said people likely pay to avoid more hassle.
"They may think, well I'm not guilty of this, but a lot of people are not guilty who go to settlement," Ashdown said. "They just don't want to deal with it."
Another recent variation of the scam claiming to be from the National Security Agency surfaced last month. Ashdown said a real government investigation would result in something more direct than a frozen computer screen, and that agents would be sent to the home.
"Your computer is going to deliver your email and deliver your web pages. It's not going to deliver warrants from the government. It's not going to deliver investigative notices," Ashdown said.
