What is CryptoLocker? CryptoLocker holds your files to ransom by encrypting them. It disguises itself as an attachment to an email appearing to be from a legitimate source, i.e. banks or financial institutions or courier company. What happens if I receive an email and open the attachment? The virus will install itself on your computer and encrypt your personal files such as photos, music, office documents etc. CryptoLocker then displays a screen with a countdown timer and a demand for the payment. Infected users have a time limit to send the payment. If this time elapses, your personal files may be lost forever. The National Crime Agencys National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) advises that you should never send the payment of a ransom to criminals, as there is no guarantee that they would honour the payment. Whats being done about the email? The NCCU is aware of the email and is working hard to trace the source. Until they do so, the Cryptolocker virus has been assessed as a significant risk. Anyone infected with this should report it via the Action Fraud website at actionfraud.police.uk CryptoLocker prevention advice 1. Do not click or download unsolicited email attachments 2. Update your Antivirus software and operating system regularly 3. Back up all of your files and store them off your network 4. Where a computer becomes infected it should be disconnected from the network, and professional assistance should be sought to clean the computer/device. Various antivirus companies offer remedial software solutions (although they will not be able to restore encrypted files).
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 07:02:10 +0000
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