A Norfolk IT Company is warning of cases of one of the deadliest threats to date for PCs and the data stored there in.
React Computer Partnership with a branch in Beccles are seeing an increasing number of virus attacks called Cryptolocker. Director Richard Pledger explains “It’s probably the worst we have seen for a good while.” “Cryptolocker basically encrypts your data and gives you a message saying you have something like 70 or 100 hours after which we will destroy the key and your data will be useless. And it’s serious. Once your PC is infected you have two options; remove the virus and go back to a good backup, or pay the money.”
Top security experts warn, if you don’t have a good backup and don’t pay the money there is no way of unencrypting the data. F-Secure – one of the world’s top Virus Protection companies so far has tried and failed to get around Cryptolocker the hackers have done such a good job. You may well wonder why has this latest deadly virus been created? Well earlier this year, researchers from Symantec who infiltrated the servers of one ransomware syndicate conservatively estimated that its operators were easily able to clear $5 million per year.
React have been monitoring reports which say if you pay up the hackers behind Cryptolocker will send the key, to unlock your data. However as Richard explains there’s no guarantee “We have seen some companies successfully receiving the key to unlock their data after of course paying a substantial ransom but the worry is that once they’ve infiltrated your networks with this virus there is no way of knowing what may happen in the future.”
So how does it infect files? Cryptolocker is often spread by the DHL type email which has been common recently arriving in your inbox with a zip file attachment, although React have seen some as a harmless-looking word document attachments.
How can I protect my PCs? Firstly you must make sure your antivirus software is up to date, and don’t open any attachments you are unsure of. Make a current back up and keep it up to date without a backup your only choice is to pay up or lose your data.
Richard concludes “Please do take notice, protect your PCs and spread the word amongst your own email contacts too – it’s the only sure way hackers can be defeated effectively, in the meantime please take this warning seriously and do stay safe.” For Cryptolocker updates go to www.reactcp.co.uk
