Thanks for the warning DA.

EVERYONE should click on the link above even if you only read half of it to see the possible damage it can do.

You're better off reading here, at a Malware removal forum.

That information @ Bleeping Computer will be up dated as needed.

It also discusses a prevention method.

Here is a link that might be useful: cryptolocker-ransomware

I have been seeing warnings from Kim Komando's site.

Pooh Bear

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=15472

Sorry Z in this matter there is no better, best site to read. Most of the core material on all the sites is redundant and beyond the comfort zone of the basic users.

No matter where you go on face value this has the potential to be bad. Until this concern is resolved, if it ever is, frequent backups are in order.

DA

This post was edited by damccoy on Thu, Nov 7, 13 at 8:11

beyond the comfort zone of the basic users.

I agree on that and add this,

CryptoPrevent is a tiny utility to lock down any Windows OS (XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1) to prevent infection by the Cryptolocker malware or âÂÂransomware

http://www.foolishit.com/vb6-projects/cryptoprevent/

Back up is something I do often, especially after I work with wallpaper or photos. I have nothing else worth saving.

Can this download when a capable security program is active?

Does this malware only come in email?
My ISP virus checks all my email before delivering it. Will that stop it?
Can this malware be delivered in the body of an email?
Or does one have to open the attachment to trigger the infection?

Pooh Bear

This infection is typically spread through emails sent to company email addresses that pretend to be customer support related issues from Fedex, UPS, DHS, etc. These emails would contain a zip attachment that when opened would infect the computer. These zip files contain executables that are disguised as PDF files as they have a PDF icon and are typically named something like FORM_101513.exe or FORM_101513.pdf.exe. Since Microsoft does not show extensions by default, they look like normal PDF files and people open them.

Here is a link that might be useful: ransomware-information

Read the disclaimers and the following thread. Informative.

DA

Here is a link that might be useful: Dell

Phony emails are so easy to detect.

I'm going to assume that if some random Joe can write a protection routine, shouldn't it be the case that all the legit security programs are all over this topic? Is that a bad assumption?

Whether it's the case or not, I agree with the OP, stuff you don't want to be without should be backed up frequently.

"I'm going to assume that if some random Joe can write a protection routine, shouldn't it be the case that all the legit security programs are all over this topic? Is that a bad assumption? "

From what I see,

It looks like the legit security programs, are linking to the random Joe protection routine.

"It looks like the legit security programs, are linking to the random Joe protection routine."

You seem to like to talk in generalities without cites, so I'll do the same. I checked two, the one I use and another, both said (in documents several weeks old) that they identify and prevent infection but suggested prudent conduct (never open unknown files or click unknown links) was always the best protection from problems. Duh.

As long as we're talking (or not talking) sources, DA's "Dell" source is from a forum poster in their community section who is not identified as being a Dell employee.

Y'all are free to follow whatever info sources you like. Personally, I'm always skeptical (because I know several self-annointed experts who offer their questionable advice to the public). There's no screening, this is the internet.

I might be posting from the library of a funny farm and you guys might be Comp Sci professors at Cal Tech. Or vice versa. Or neither.

We got a notice from our Internet Security Team that a significant number of computers/users on our domain had their network access disabled because they were found to be infected with a virus that our Symantec Endpoint Protection could not clean. No particulars, but we were told that they are required to undergo a total Windows reload before they can get back onto the network. I bet it was this infection. That has never happened to our organization before (in the 6 years that I've been here).

1. Prevention
2. Detection
3. Recovery

In this case there is no three.

I share what I read if it may merit. I do not certify the content or validate the source. That is up to the readers. Unlike a few others here I do not plagiarize Google content as my own work product or knowledge base. Whenever possible I cite the source.

DA

CryptoLocker emails now including password protected attachments to evade av software. Email pretends to be new outlook settings.

via https://twitter.com/BleepinComputer/status/400391780073365504

The past few weeks have seen the ransomware CryptoLocker emerge as a significant threat for many users. Our monitoring of this threat has revealed details on how it spreads, specifically its connection to spam and ZeuS. However, it looks there is more to the emergence of this thread than initially discovered.

http://blog.trendmicro.com/trendlabs-security-intelligence/cryptolocker-emergence-connected-to-blackhole-exploit-kit-arrest/

I just heard today of the tainted spam increasing. The shotgun approach is using common, well known commercial sites as bait. The old ploy of address book hijacking was referenced too. In either case it supposedly still requires the recipient to open an attachment.

I haven't seen anything confirming the address book attack, but it is something to be alert about.

DA

And another reason to backup;

After shutting your system down and unplugging it due to severe thunderstorms occurring you may get up the next morning and the system is dead. Why? Who knows?

Yup it happened yesterday. So rather than wasting time and money on a near seven year old system I went out and bought a new one. During the set up I was able to restore my financials, documents, and pictures without a hitch. As soon as I get the preferred applications all downloaded and installed I will be back to normal.

DA

DA we did not really wonder if you bought Win 7 or 8 ;~)

W8 of course. I for one always try to move forward in life.

I really got lucky. My HP A-I-O worked just fine with the new HP driver/software package. Likewise for my Logitech cordless mouse with its package. I kept the same monitor so all in all I got off pretty cheap.

DA

Does it already have the 8.1 update, or will you have to download and install that yourself? Just curious because it seems many have had problems with this.

8.1 version is soooo much better on my laptop. Its boring me to death now ... nothing to fix.

I was wondering if you have W 8 and have the classic shell installed....do you have to uninstall it before you install 8.1?

It's W8. I have tried twice to upgrade to v8.1, but each time I have gotten an error. No time right now to rectify that.

BTW: I am also test driving a 4G LTE provider. If I go with it the deal is a 2 year contract, free router, and 20GB monthly usage. It's $10.00 a month more than the 3G with 5 more GB. The connection rate as I write this is 23.69 MB. I have seen higher at times over the past several days. Previously I was getting 700kb to 3GB.

DA

This post was edited by damccoy on Thu, Nov 21, 13 at 16:37

At least you have a decent monthly allowance. When I was using Verizon 3G, I only had a 5GB usage allowance (I think), and anytime I went over that it was $10 more per gig. So glad to have cable now at a decent (not cheap) price and no contract required.

I guess I have been lucky. I have never been limited even when I was on dial up. I didn't mind dial up because it was my first server and didn't know what I was missing out on. I would hate to go back to it. I have had cable since then except for a short stint with ATT.

This post was edited by EmmaR on Fri, Nov 22, 13 at 0:38

My monthly usage is in the 60 & 70 gb range usually & I'm really not downloading or uploading gobs of movies or other larger nor smaller things.

Largest things lately have been 4gb windows downloads a couple styles, and one upload iso copy to skydrive. So last month should have had maybe 80gb use.