Submitted

The Canadian Anti Fraud Center and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Technological Crime Branch have been receiving reports from Canadians who say their computers are being frozen or they have been "locked out" of their computers.  This happens primarily after complainants receive pop-up messages warning them their computers have  been associated with child pornography.
 
These warning messages, which claim to come from the RCMP or other Canadian government agencies, tell recipients to pay $100 dollars via Ukash (a payment service provider) so their computers can be "unlocked".
 
These types of messages, known as ransomware, are scams designed to create shock and anxiety so that victims respond by sending money quickly. If you receive one of these messages, please be aware that:

• The ransomware is an attempt to defraud you.  
• Sending money will not fix your computer – it will remain locked.  DO NOT SEND MONEY.
• Neither the RCMP nor any other Canadian government agencies would hijack computers in order to obtain money. The ransomware presence is hard evidence that your computer has been infected by malicious software (malware) that must be dealt with.
• The only way to regain access to your computer is to seek the help of a computer technician who can remove the malware.
• To protect against cyber attacks, you must regularly update your software.  You need good anti-virus, spyware and firewall protection.
 
If you receive a ransomware message, please contact your local police force and the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501) to report it: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/
 
Fraud: Recognize it. Report it. Stop it.
 
Canadian Anti Fraud Centre
1-888-495-8501

    The Drumheller RCMP’s newest officer, Sara Rayat, has only been with the detachment for a little over a month, but has quickly grown fond of the valley.
    After graduating from the RCMP training depot in Regina on February 11, Constable Rayat packed her belongings and took a flight to Calgary, starting her first posting as an RCMP officer on February 17.
    “The people are really friendly here,” said Constable Rayat. “It’s a nice town, I like it.”
    Constable Rayat was raised in London, Ontario where she grew up and attended university for geographic information systems (GIS).
    After university, she worked for the municipal government serving the county of Middlesex as a GIS and planning technician.
    Upon hearing about a job posting to join the RCMP from her father, Constable Rayat attended an information session which steered her in the direction of law enforcement.
    “I realized what you can do in this job, and I decided to join,” said Constable Rayat.