Computer Hope

Other => Computer News => Topic started by: DaveLembke on November 10, 2013, 10:10:52 PM

Title: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: DaveLembke on November 10, 2013, 10:10:52 PM
Interesting...

http://www.today.com/money/nasty-new-malware-locks-your-files-forever-unless-you-pay-8C11511655 (http://www.today.com/money/nasty-new-malware-locks-your-files-forever-unless-you-pay-8C11511655)
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: evilfantasy on November 13, 2013, 01:37:33 PM
The malware isn't new at all. It has however been recently modified to extort more money from victims.

Ransomware demands additional payment to delete ‘criminal records’ (http://blog.malwarebytes.org/news/2013/11/ransomware-demands-additional-payment-to-delete-criminal-records/)

- Don't go clicking on email attachments that are suspect. Especially shipping invoices. If you need your shipping information go to the shippers website and find it.
- Backup, backup, backup! Keep your personal files/folders backed up! Something as simple as using SkyDrive or Google Drive can make all the difference. Just because the malware can be removed is no guarantee that it will not do major damage in the process.
- Keep your AV updated and trust it when it says there is a problem. Curiously killed the cat!
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: Geek-9pm on November 13, 2013, 02:58:01 PM
Well, shall we wait here for somebody to say that is unreal? 
Someone might say you need to go to control panel and uninstall the last program you got and that solves the problem.  ;D

Really, the story is being picked on other sites. It is a real thing.
http://www.wtop.com/256/3504095/Vicious-virus-locks-files-then-demands-ransom
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: patio on November 13, 2013, 04:54:39 PM
I have no idea what the 1st part of your reply means...
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: evilfantasy on November 13, 2013, 05:23:04 PM
Quote from: evilfantasy on November 13, 2013, 01:37:33 PM
Curiously killed the cat!

I 'curiously' botched my security rant...
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: patio on November 13, 2013, 05:48:57 PM
Quote from: evilfantasy on November 13, 2013, 05:23:04 PM
I 'curiously' botched my security rant...

Sorry... that was meant for Geek's reply above...which i just re-read and i stick to my reply...
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: evilfantasy on November 13, 2013, 05:58:42 PM
I knew it was to Geek ;)

I compulsively re-read my replies. It's nearly a sickness at times...
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: Geek-9pm on November 13, 2013, 07:01:55 PM
Quote from: patio on November 13, 2013, 04:54:39 PM
I have no idea what the 1st part of your reply means...
Pardon my babel.
My intent was to say the threat is very real. But  so often somebody  claims it is easy to fix the problem. It is not easy to fix. As Evil Fantasy said, you have to have backups and even a backup plan. It requires forethought.
Here  is a short list of PC Backup Plans
Single Computer or Personal Backups (http://onlinebackupsearch.com/top-picks/best-single-computer-personal-backup-plans.html)
The idea is that the backup has to be separate from your computer and has to be updated frequently.
Also, search for Free Cloud Storage.
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: evilfantasy on November 14, 2013, 06:22:10 AM
The exception of SugarSync that list of backups is crap. IMO MyPC Backup should be considered malware. I had the pleasure of removing it from a PC last week.
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: Calum on November 14, 2013, 08:15:17 AM
Quote from: evilfantasy on November 14, 2013, 06:22:10 AM
The exception of SugarSync that list of backups is crap. IMO MyPC Backup should be considered malware. I had the pleasure of removing it from a PC last week.

Agreed.

Crashplan is my cloud backup of choice.

That aside, I read about this malware the other day, nasty stuff but easily avoided considering real shipping notifications aren't usually a double extension (fake) PDF in a zip file.
Title: Re: New Malware Locks Files for Ransom
Post by: evilfantasy on November 15, 2013, 12:17:33 PM
CryptoPrevent (http://www.foolishit.com/vb6-projects/cryptoprevent/) is a tiny utility to lock down any Windows OS to prevent infection by the Cryptolocker malware or ‘ransomware’, which encrypts personal files and then offers decryption for a paid ransom.