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[3Gear]

Hello,
            This is a heads up to everyone:  take extra precaution both the office( if you use a PC)  and at home when opening emails with attachments.
 DO NOT OPEN any attachment that you are not expecting.  Do not click on any links embedded in an email that you are not absolutely sure are from the sender, and make sure that the link matches the text.

I share this warning due to the recent appearance of a very, very nasty malware spreading around the internet.  This one is evil enough that I have been making sure everyone knows about it. This malware does not affect the running of the PC, instead it encrypts all of your personal files, photos, documents, videos, music.  I holds it for ransom, and if you do not pay after 72 hours the key to open the files is deleted by the crooks, and from what my contacts in Computer Security say even if you pay them you will most likely not receive the key, just a maxed out credit card.   Unfortunately the encryption used by these crooks is military grade, and once the key is deleted there is no way to recover your files PERIOD.

So if you always ignored the good practice of backing up your files, now you may want to consider taking heed to this warning.  Antivirus "should" protect you from the known variants, however if a new version comes out you are vulnerable until there is an update to the AV program.

For your home PCs;  make sure your anti-virus is up to date, and backup your files to either an external drive or up to the "cloud" i.e. web based storage.  I will gladly assist you with any questions.


Here are a few links with information on this issue:

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/10/18/cryptolocker-ransomware-see-how-it-works-learn-about-prevention-cleanup-and-recovery/

http://blog.malwarebytes.org/intelligence/2013/10/cryptolocker-ransomware-what-you-need-to-know/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CryptoLocker

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2060640/cryptolocker-creators-try-to-extort-even-more-money-from-victims-with-new-service.html



I suggest taking this seriously.

Be Sharp, Be Safe!

Cheers,
Marc

[kvbug (karen)]

Thank you for the information, Marc.  These cyber criminals are scarier than regular criminals,  because you can't see them and don't know what they've done until it's too late.

[matt]

 Thanks for the info on this... greatly appreciated.....

[Celly]

That's it I am never opening up another attachment EVER!   ?/banghea?/

Thanks for the heads up Marc &^beer&

[DreamWeaver J@Y:~}]

 And if you think these virus are bad..
Wait until those poor suckers who applied for the Obama Heathcare Plans online discovers that there info probably went to a shadow website looking just like the Gov site.. Chit, the site wasn't even a dot gov site, or secured..

 The sites are Hackers Dreams, and ideal pickings for your SS number, bank account and personal info it has more back doors, and holes in it then craters on the moon. Lets, just say that many thousands of Americans bank accounts will be drained. :confused04:;
 
 Ohooo and if you happened to apply via phone, your info was taken by a worker that has not had a back ground checks etc, could even be a conn.

 It's Freaken Mess......  #banghead