Police Trojans Impersonate Authorities, Demand Payment

German cybersecurity research firm AV-TEST - SITS Deutschland GmbH has issued a warning regarding new "police Trojans" that are infecting poorly protected computers. These malicious programs typically infiltrate systems via infected email attachments.

Once inside, the Trojan locks the user's computer and displays a screen that mimics official communications from law enforcement or security software companies. The message falsely accuses the user of illegal activity and demands an immediate payment, often a fine exceeding 100 Euros, to restore computer access. These fake warnings often incorporate authentic logos from police forces and software providers to appear legitimate.

AV-TEST stresses that these demands originate from cybercriminals and have no affiliation with actual authorities. The firm strongly advises users against paying any ransom, as payment does not guarantee the return of access, and data is frequently lost. The only effective method for removing these Trojans is through manual cleanup, often using a recovery disk or similar tool.

The company recommends employing high-quality, up-to-date security software to defend against emerging Trojans. Security solutions that achieve top scores in AV-TEST's "Protection" category, particularly 100 percent in real-world testing, are highly effective against the latest threats, including these police Trojans.

According to AV-TEST, new variants of malware appear constantly. Software that performs well in "real-world testing" has proven effective in detecting and blocking zero-day threats, encompassing malicious websites and emails.