German federal police are warning about a computer virus that accuses victims of viewing "juvenile pornography".

It also displays an image that it claims reveals images of child *censored* abuse have been viewed on a computer.

The Windows virus locks a computer and only returns control to its owner on payment of a 100 euro (£86) fine.

It purports to be collecting cash on behalf of German copyright authorities and the country's national computer security agency.

The virus amounted to "digital extortion" and victims should not pay up, said German police.

The warning about the novel strain of ransomware was issued by Germany's Federal Criminal police office (the BUNDESKRIMINALAMT or BKA).

The ransomware version found by the BKA uses a pop-up window that says the machine has been locked down due to "unauthorised network activity". The window is crafted to look like it has been put TOGETHER by Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BKI) and its society for PROSECUTION of copyright infringement (GVU).
'Emotional blackmail'

Text in the window claims that images of child *censored* abuse as well as pirated content have been found on the machine. Also displayed is an PICTURE of a child which it claims reveals illegal images have been viewed.

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21291925I'm not sure what worries me more. The malware itself, or the fact that this approach actually works- which is to say, Are the 'victims' thinking "hmm, I don't know how that got there but I better do what it says" or is it "Oh no I've been caught!".

It's the latter that worries me.
One agrees BC. But I also feel some people would feel pressured into admitting guilt when non exists to advocate themselves. Probably many people also will SUSPECT someone else in that household which could also be an ugly result of this extortion...The stigma of being accused of liking child pornography is so great that I am sure many people would pay a smallish sum just to make it go away.