Swedish media today reports that several thousand Swedes have been tricked into paying “porn surfing fines” after their computer is held hostage by blackmailers.

The scam works by tricking web surfers into believing the Police is after them for engaging in smut surfing. A notice is displayed that the user must pay a fine of 150 USD within 24 hours, or the case will be handed to a prosecutor. Oh, and the use of their computer is made impossible until they have paid the fine.

This is another example of the increasingly popular ransomware malware class that sees criminals make good money extorting computer users. As ever, a good anti-malware program should be your first line of defense.