The US Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3) has warned Internet users of a new Citadel malware platform that lures victims, by appearing under the guise of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and extorting money from them.
The IC3 - a partnership between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Centre - yesterday issued a warning that a new platform used to deliver ransomware is doing the rounds in the virtual globe.
Apparently the ransomware lures the victim to a drive-by download Web site - at which time the malware is installed on the user's computer. This causes the computer to freeze and a warning comes up saying the user has violated US federal law, that the FBI picked up the user's IP address has visited child pornography and other “illegal content” sites.
To unlock the computer, the user is instructed to pay a fine to the US Department of Justice. IC3 says, in addition to the ransomware, the Citadel malware continues to operate on the compromised computer and can even be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud.
IC3 warns that this is merely an attempt to extort money and it opens up the user to online banking fraud. “If you have received this or something similar, do not follow the payment instructions. Infected computers may not operate normally.”
The body suggests victims may need to contact a computer expert to remove the malware.
This YouTube video also details what to do if your PC falls prey to the scam.
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