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Beware of Ransomware

Computer users are being warned of a re-emerging trend among cyber criminals that may cause them loss of data or embarrassment, reports the Times of India.

In a bid to extort money from individuals, online criminals are employing tactics similar to those exhibited by violent hijackers who kidnap individuals and demand ransom from loved ones.

The criminals are resorting to hijacking users' files through Trojans and malicious codes, then demanding payment for their release.

And just to make victims comply, the crooks are reportedly using underhand tactics including downloading pornographic images on victims' computers and threatening to release the information to the public, if the victims are uncooperative.

According to the paper, the ransom demands vary and the most successful ones seem to be the ones that do not demand a lot of money from victims.

Payment methods range from wiring money online to the attacker's bank account or sometimes purchasing goods from affiliate websites.

Internet security specialist Kaspersky Labs is urging consumers to create back-ups of their files to avoid falling victim to the crooks.

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