Please read and take note
CryptoLocker 14th October 2013
CryptoLocker is the next generation of internet virus that is currently circulating all over the world in large numbers. Once a computer becomes infected it will lock all your files plus any network files it has access to, even your server.
Once the files are locked it will give you a three day countdown to pay the ransom, usually $100 or $300. If the time expires your files are locked with no option to pay the ransom.
It is by far the worst we have experienced so far and virus protection companies are scrambling to catch up with this one, as it changes frequently to elude the virus scanners. In other words: it can affect you if you are not careful even though your firewall and virus protection is active and up-to-date.
Currently there are only two known methods to remove the infection, restoring your files from a backup or paying the ransom.
Please be aware that paying the ransom is not guaranteed to work. We don’t condone paying the ransom and supporting these cybercriminals.
Usually this occurs by these methods:
In the form of attachment, usually disguised in an email appearing to come from your bank, insurance company or courier service or scanner.
A simple safety procedure that works for the majority of email applications or online email services is to “hover” over the link, which means move the cursor to the attachment or “button” or other link in the email, but DO NOT click. If the domain name that appears has no relation, looks suspicious, or appears as an unintelligible tangle of letters and numbers, it usually means it is not legitimate and should be deleted.
Through Trojan websites, which will ask you to download a piece of software in order to watch video clips or download songs off the internet.
Through exploit kits, specific websites with similar names to popular ones, just waiting for people to miss-type the address and think they are on their favourite website.
Advice for prevention
Do not open attachments if you are unsure of the contents or the email was unexpected.
Look for clues in the email content, usually most legitimate emails will address you by name and not something generic like ‘customer’ with vague wording.
Do not click on website links in emails until you have viewed the link location (do this by hovering over the link, this will display the link right at the bottom of Outlook). Instead of clicking the link, you are best to manually browse to the website via your web browser.
Make sure your anti-virus is updated regularly
Make sure your backups are current and working and backing up ALL critical data
If you get the virus
Stop work
Immediately disconnect any network drives
Contact us
Alert other users of the issue, as most likely any work done will be overwritten when the backup is restored.
Please do forward this email on to your staff, friends and associates.
If in doubt or have any questions, please contact Sterling IT.