Cryptolocker

[jmm99]

If this splash screen shows up on your monitor,

http://cdn.blog.malwarebytes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/cryptolocker.png

you have a problem - unless you have a non-infected backup of the now-encrypted files.

Here are four articles (from Symantec, Avast!, Kaspersky and Malwarebytes) on Cryptolocker:

Cryptolocker Alert: Millions in the UK Targeted in Mass Spam Campaign (http://www.symantec.com/connect/blogs/cryptolocker-alert-millions-uk-targeted-mass-spam-campaign)

Can avast! protect me against CryptoLocker? (http://blog.avast.com/2013/11/19/can-avast-protect-me-against-cryptolocker/)

CryptoLocker is Bad News (http://blog.kaspersky.com/cryptolocker-is-bad-news/)

Cryptolocker Ransomware: What You Need To Know (http://blog.malwarebytes.org/intelligence/2013/10/cryptolocker-ransomware-what-you-need-to-know/)

Obviously, prevention is the only answer. As to that, here are some resources (besides AV and AM software, such as the four above):

How to prevent Cryptolocker Ransomware to hit your PC (http://www.ghacks.net/2013/10/24/prevent-cryptolocker-ransomware-hit-pc/)

CryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptolocker-ransomware-information)

Virus, Spyware, & Malware Removal Guides (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/)

Besides having "always on" AV and AM protection, there are two specific freeware software programs that offer some added protection against Cryptolocker and other ransomware threats:

HitmanPro's CryptoGuard (http://www.surfright.nl/en/cryptoguard)

CryptoPrevent, for which the URL is scuppered by the SWC $hit filter. Cut and paste this "URL", and then change "$" to "s", in your web address line:

http://www.fooli$hit.com/vb6-projects/cryptoprevent/

This sort of thing makes one think about cybersecurity.

Regards

Mike