Halloween is upon us! This year, however, there is something much more sinister afoot than the usual hordes of zombies, vampires, and cavities. I’m talking about ransomware, a particularly malevolent form of computer virus that can hold your personal files or your whole operating system hostage.
Ransomware is especially malicious because there is a chance you may lose all of your personal data once you’ve been infected with no options to recover unless you have an online or physical backup.
The newest and most harmful type of ransomware, known as CryptoLocker, uses a process called public-key cryptography to encrypt important files on your computer. This prevents you from accessing them in any way. Once the virus has fully installed, it locks down your computer and demands that you pay around $300 USD in order to get your files back. However, there is no guarantee you will get your computer unlocked. It is possible to remove the virus, but if you haven’t backed-up your information, there’s a good chance your files are gone.
Scams and viruses like CryptoLocker are becoming increasingly common and are further proof that the best tactic is proactive prevention. Reduce your chances of infection by being vigilant and taking the following steps:
- Never open emails from suspiciously named contacts.
- Avoid opening email attachments unless you are positive they are from a trusted source.
- If an email contains nothing but an attachment or a link, report it as spam and do not open or download it.
- Consider switching to a safer email service like Gmail.
- Keep your Antivirus program up-to-date and run scans routinely.
- Make sure to keep your operating system, Java, and Flash regularly updated.
- Never trust cold calls from supposed Microsoft affiliates that are trying to sell you software, service packs, or anything involving remote desktop control. Microsoft and its affiliates never make unsolicited phone calls.
Last but certainly not least, now is the perfect time to backup all of your files to prevent any worst case scenarios. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
For more information on common tactics to avoid malware and ransomware, consult my article Five Steps You Can Take to Keep Your Computer Safe and Healthy.
Phil Stone is a local computer repair technician who specializes in virus removal and maintenance. He is the owner and operator of Phil Stone Computer Repair and Virus Removal, which has been in business since 2011. Phil has been a resident of Redding all 22 years of his life. He enjoys relaxing at Whiskeytown lake, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. He can be reached at 530-524-2461, through his email at phinlandforever@gmail.com, or via his website, PhilStonePCrepair.com
