Why is Cryptolocker Dangerous to You?
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What is CRYPTOLOCKER and Why is IT So Dangerous?
Individual Australians are held ransom then pay hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars to rid their computers of the CryptoLocker virus. Australians paid out an estimated $400,00 this year to get our important files back. (ABC news 9th August 2015) Tracing the actual amount that the hackers are taking is difficult to determine. Worldwide, an estimated US$27 million was paid in 2013. (Wikipedia)
Cryptolocker is a virus that takes down and locks all your business files, all data and your backup. Once into your computer or network, you cannot access anything. A ransom is demanded. There is no guarantee that after payment of the ransom you will get your files back.
How Do You Get It?
1. ZIP attachments or other weird attachments in e-mails:
Viruses copy and look like companies like Telstra, Australian Federal Police, Ebay, Paypal, Dropbox, Australia Post, NAB, Combank, ANZ, Apple and anyone else. Bonafide companies will NEVER send you a ZIP file or some weird attachment in an email unless you specifically requested it.
2. Links in emails
Links in emails will also get you infected. If you follow a link to a website, that website can and will inject a virus into your system!! Always check the link in an email by hovering your mouse over the link. The link will look like www.apple.com but when you hover your mouse over it, it will change to www.anothersite.com – then it’s fake! Don’t follow it, don’t download anything from it!
3. How Do You Avoid Getting It?
Always check the email for incorrect information
- Check who it’s from. If you don’t know the sender why trust them? Don’t!
- Check the subject and content for spelling mistakes or strange content. Typically virus writers aren’t good at English and don’t write their emails very well.
- Check the links by hovering over them with your mouse. Are they different from what’s written in the email?
Even if it’s from someone you trust, they may have been infected recently and the viruses is emailing their contact list. Always check the attachments and links.
If you are a CEO or manager and you or your staff are unsure or worried about the e-mails coming into your company, we’re absolutely happy to check it out for you and make sure it’s safe. Call us in Melbourne on 03 9486 9000.
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