Gardaí warn of 'Police Trojan' computer locking virus

The scam locks computers and displays a police logo, and requests that users pay a fine to be unlocked

By Emer McLysaght Friday 15 Jun 2012, 5:13 PM

Jun 15th 2012, 5:13 PM 20,064 Views 34 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/488837

Image: Jim Mead via Flickr/Creative Commons

Image: Jim Mead via Flickr/Creative Commons

GARDAÍ ARE WARNING the public to be wary of a computer virus which locks computers displaying a police logo and asks users to pay a fine.

The scam has been in operation in other countries and Gardaí say that the virus detects the country in which the computer is located and downloads the appropriate police logo and locks down the user’s screen.

A pop up claims that the computer has been used to carry out illegal activities and demands payment of a fine in order to unlock the computer.

A Garda spokesperson has said that members of the public would never be contacted in this way and that users should not share their bank details or pay out any money. If a computer user is deceived into paying a fine they should contact their local Garda station as soon as possible.

The Gardaí have provided a screenshot of what an affected computer might look like:

Read: PSNI warns of ‘computer locking’ PC virus scam>

Short URL

About the author:

About the author

Emer McLysaght

@EmerTheScreamer

emer@dailyedge.ie

See more articles by Emer McLysaght

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (34)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Gardaí warn of 'Police Trojan' computer locking virus

The scam locks computers and displays a police logo, and requests that users pay a fine to be unlocked