SACRAMENTO-

A new scam, called Reveton virus or Ransomware, is getting people to pay hundreds in hopes of staying out of trouble.

People pick up the virus while surfing websites. Most of the time, the sites are the kind you wouldn’t normally brag about being on.

The virus then freezes the computer and says the FBI has found illegal music or child porn on the computer and they must pay a fine of $300 or go to court. Many times, people pay the fine.

It looks like the virus goes away, but it doesn’t. It still operates in the background, collecting personal information.

The FBI says this is a scam and they would never contact you over the internet. If they find you are doing something illegal they will knock on your front door, not contact you over the internet.

Experts have tips on what to do if you become a victim of the virus.

– Do not pay any money or provide any personal information.

– Contact a computer professional to remove Reveton and Citadel from your computer.

– Be aware that even if you are able to unfreeze your computer on your own, the malware may still operate in the background. Certain types of malware have been known to capture personal information such as user names, passwords, and credit card numbers through embedded keystroke logging programs.

– File a complaint and look for updates about the Reveton virus on the IC3 website.

It cost about 70 dollars to have the virus removed from your computer. For more information click on the links below.

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/august/new-internet-scam

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/may/internet-crime-in-2012/internet-crime-in-2012