Sick software nasty uses child abuse pics to extort infected victims

[the_leander]

It was inevitable really, but yes. Cyber criminals have come up with possibly their nastiest take on ransomware:

Depraved miscreants are spreading vile ransomware that displays images of child abuse on infected PCs and demands payment to remove them.

Typically, this sort of malware pretends to be an official piece of police software and pops up a text message accusing victims of breaking the law - usually for downloading copyrighted material or dodgy pornography - and locks down the computer until the user coughs up some cash.

Read on.

Best bit? Under UK law at least, strict liability means that going to the authorities is a no go.

 

[redrumloa]

Best bit? Under UK law at least, strict liability means that going to the authorities is a no go.

AFAIK it would be the same in the US. I remember seeing stories of people reporting kiddy porn being arrested for the images being in their browser cache.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Best bit? Under UK law at least, strict liability means that going to the authorities is a no go.

You could become a politician or lord or get an OBE!

 

[the_leander]

You could become a politician or lord or get an OBE!

Or a banker, I hear they tend to be able to both avoid responsibility and get things done for them with ease.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Hmmm. As to the MPs...

 

[the_leander]

Hmmm. As to the MPs...

What does it say about me that I'm not even the slightest bit surprised?