CryptoLocker and other Ransomware

**Eric Seavey** · 11-10-2013, 07:58 AM

Has anybody heard about it? It is a new Trojan type virus, that installs a malware program on your machine that scans and identifies documents, and encrypts them. Only if you pay $200 or so to the criminals will they give you a key up decrypt the files (you hope). To get infected, you need to click on an attachment (often looking like a psd document) in the bogus email they send (disguising as a Fedex or UPS shipping confirmation, etc). In any case, watch carefully what you click on in emails and even websites.

I do wonder if it will also recognize PEF raw files as documents and encrypt them too. I did a quick search and our PEF raw files are not safe....

Happy Holidays!

Last edited by Eric Seavey; 11-10-2013 at 08:09 AM.

kain · 11-10-2013, 08:01 AM

Backup your stuff, use a safe (i.e. disposable) environment for accessing stuff you don't trust. Separate important from disposable stuff, and protect your gear that can access the important stuff against use by other people. Also, pay attention to what an attachment actually is before clicking it....

it's the simple stuff!

**Eric Seavey** · 11-10-2013, 08:13 AM

Indeed, an external backup that is separate from the main computer is the best way to go. I bought a tera station with a raid array few years back to protect my files in case of an disc crash... but that is not going to work against this kind of threat. I am careful about what links/attachments I open, which is the first line of defense... Still imagining losing all my photos would we terrible!

photolady95 · 11-10-2013, 08:29 AM

I have heard of it, I work on a computer tech help site. For more information you can read about it here:

CryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ

kain · 11-10-2013, 08:57 AM

They charge a bit of a premium, but it could be worth it (Disclosure: I used to work for em): spideroak.com. Cryptolocker wouldn't mess you up, because they keep old versions of backups too, so you can just revert to whatever clean backup you had

yakky · 11-10-2013, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Eric Seavey

Indeed, an external backup that is separate from the main computer is the best way to go. I bought a tera station with a raid array few years back to protect my files in case of an disc crash... but that is not going to work against this kind of threat. I am careful about what links/attachments I open, which is the first line of defense... Still imagining losing all my photos would we terrible!

If you back up incrementally, it sure will protect against that. Just make sure your client machine does not have delete privileges on the backup server.

11-10-2013, 07:58 AM	#1
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307	CryptoLocker and other Ransomware Has anybody heard about it? It is a new Trojan type virus, that installs a malware program on your machine that scans and identifies documents, and encrypts them. Only if you pay $200 or so to the criminals will they give you a key up decrypt the files (you hope). To get infected, you need to click on an attachment (often looking like a psd document) in the bogus email they send (disguising as a Fedex or UPS shipping confirmation, etc). In any case, watch carefully what you click on in emails and even websites. I do wonder if it will also recognize PEF raw files as documents and encrypt them too. I did a quick search and our PEF raw files are not safe.... Happy Holidays! Last edited by Eric Seavey; 11-10-2013 at 08:09 AM.

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11-10-2013, 08:01 AM	#2
kain Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 162	Backup your stuff, use a safe (i.e. disposable) environment for accessing stuff you don't trust. Separate important from disposable stuff, and protect your gear that can access the important stuff against use by other people. Also, pay attention to what an attachment actually is before clicking it.... it's the simple stuff!

11-10-2013, 08:13 AM	#3
Eric Seavey Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307 Original Poster	Indeed, an external backup that is separate from the main computer is the best way to go. I bought a tera station with a raid array few years back to protect my files in case of an disc crash... but that is not going to work against this kind of threat. I am careful about what links/attachments I open, which is the first line of defense... Still imagining losing all my photos would we terrible!

11-10-2013, 08:29 AM	#4
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	I have heard of it, I work on a computer tech help site. For more information you can read about it here: CryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ

11-10-2013, 08:57 AM	#5
kain Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 162	They charge a bit of a premium, but it could be worth it (Disclosure: I used to work for em): spideroak.com. Cryptolocker wouldn't mess you up, because they keep old versions of backups too, so you can just revert to whatever clean backup you had

11-10-2013, 09:00 AM	#6
yakky New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 17	Originally posted by Eric Seavey Indeed, an external backup that is separate from the main computer is the best way to go. I bought a tera station with a raid array few years back to protect my files in case of an disc crash... but that is not going to work against this kind of threat. I am careful about what links/attachments I open, which is the first line of defense... Still imagining losing all my photos would we terrible! If you back up incrementally, it sure will protect against that. Just make sure your client machine does not have delete privileges on the backup server.