Ridgewood Police Warn of 'Ransomware' Scam

The Ridgewood Police Department is warning residents of internet scammers who use a malicious virus to hold computers for “ransom,” often posing as law enforcement authorities.

Police said they have received increased reports of the online scam, which uses a virus called “Ransomware” to lock up computer use, either with a full-screen webpage or image that prevents access to other functions, or an encryption that locks files under password.

To regain access to the computer, the owner is prompted to pay a fee. According to police, the scammers usually claim to be the FBI or other police agency, requiring the payment of a fine to avoid prosecution for illegal activity on the computer.

Police said that residents should not pay the “fine,” but instead reboot their computer in safe mode and run a full virus scan.

More information on handling the virus can be found here for Microsoft and Apple users.