US Warns Users of Child-Porn Blackmail Ransomware 196
coondoggie writes "The nasty Trojan known as Citadel malware, which is based on Zeus, has typically been used to extort money from online banking users, but a new variant is making the rounds that tries to get your money by saying you looked at child porn sites and must pay a violation fee to the U.S. Department of Justice. This variation, called Reveton, lures the victim to a drive-by download website, at which time the ransomware is installed on the user's computer, says the U.S. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user they have violated United States Federal Law."
Re:Scummy yet brilliant. (Score:5, Interesting)
Seems to me that from your post American law has a much bigger problem than the Russians do in this particular instance.
Re:Who would fall for a fee? (Score:4, Interesting)
There was recently (in the last few months, I believe) an article about intent in child porn cases. I think it was even on /. It said that simply possessing the child porn wasn't enough, there had to be proof that the person had intentionally viewed it.
found it. http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/05/10/138205/ny-ruling-distinguishes-downloading-viewing-child-pornography [slashdot.org]
Is that only in New York, or has it set some sort of precedent or how does that work? I'm not fluent in legalese.
Re:Scummy yet brilliant. (Score:5, Interesting)
This is why "possession" of something shouldn't be a crime. Anything can be planted in your house/PC/car/whatever without your knowledge.
A country which allows a computer virus to ruin your life and make you forever unemployable has some serious problems with its laws.
PS: I cleaned up a machine with this three or four months ago here in Spain.