CryptoLocker is a form of Trojan Horse known as ransomware. "Trojan Horses" are quite different from viruses but have the same goal: to create havoc inside your computer. After being installed on a Windows system -- usually following the opening of a malicious email -- CryptoLocker takes control of the user's system and locks up almost all data files (.DOC, .XLS, .JPG, and many more file types).
Those behind the scam then demand the victim pay up if they want to regain access to the files on their computer. The usual ransom: between $300 and $600 in bitcoins, a relatively new type of Internet-based currency. Although CryptoLocker itself is easily removed by a number of anti-virus programs, files remain locked up in a way that researchers believe are impossible to break. For the unprepared computer user, this can be a huge problem.
In contrast, CryptoLocker is very easy to deal with IF you are making frequent backups. Here is what you must do NOW to prevent future CryptoLocker problems:
Make sure you are making frequent backups, starting NOW, before your computer becomes infected with the “CryptoLocker” problem. Everyone should do that all the time anyway. Ideally, you should be using some backup program that automatically makes backups every few hours. Only use a backup program that saves ALL VERSIONS of all files. Not all backup programs do that. There are a dozen or more such programs to choose from. (See the note below about backup programs.)
When you get the CryptoLocker problem, use any up-to-date anti-virus program to delete it. Almost all of today’s Windows anti-virus programs will do that but they probably will not restore access to your files.
If the anti-virus program does not restore your locked up files, restore those files from your most recent backup. You will be back in business.
Of course, if you don’t make frequent backups before CryptoLocker strikes, you will have problems. Big problems.
Your choice.
Another solution is to use Macintosh, Linux, Android, or Apple's iOS operating systems instead of Windows. CryptoLocker appears to only affect Windows computers.
More about CryptoLocker a ransomware trojan which targets computers running Microsoft Windows[
CryptoLocker is a form of Trojan Horse known as ransomware. "Trojan Horses" are quite different from viruses but have the same goal: to create havoc inside your computer. After being installed on a Windows system -- usually following the opening of a malicious email -- CryptoLocker takes control of the user's system and locks up almost all data files (.DOC, .XLS, .JPG, and many more file types).
Those behind the scam then demand the victim pay up if they want to regain access to the files on their computer. The usual ransom: between $300 and $600 in bitcoins, a relatively new type of Internet-based currency. Although CryptoLocker itself is easily removed by a number of anti-virus programs, files remain locked up in a way that researchers believe are impossible to break. For the unprepared computer user, this can be a huge problem.
In contrast, CryptoLocker is very easy to deal with IF you are making frequent backups. Here is what you must do NOW to prevent future CryptoLocker problems:
Make sure you are making frequent backups, starting NOW, before your computer becomes infected with the “CryptoLocker” problem. Everyone should do that all the time anyway. Ideally, you should be using some backup program that automatically makes backups every few hours. Only use a backup program that saves ALL VERSIONS of all files. Not all backup programs do that. There are a dozen or more such programs to choose from. (See the note below about backup programs.)
When you get the CryptoLocker problem, use any up-to-date anti-virus program to delete it. Almost all of today’s Windows anti-virus programs will do that but they probably will not restore access to your files.
If the anti-virus program does not restore your locked up files, restore those files from your most recent backup. You will be back in business.
Of course, if you don’t make frequent backups before CryptoLocker strikes, you will have problems. Big problems.
Your choice.
Another solution is to use Macintosh, Linux, Android, or Apple's iOS operating systems instead of Windows. CryptoLocker appears to only affect Windows computers.
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