CryptoLocker new malware/ransomware HEADS UP
Spread the word, not the virus! CryptoLocker malware/ransomware virus is new, ugly, really efficient, and really hard to stop from the looks of it. The original demanded payments of $100 to decrypt user files that get held for ransom once you are infected. The new and improved version is now $300.
Even Mozy and Carbonite will backup the encrypted versions if they are given time to, rendering those backups totally useless!
People become infected by downloading misleading email attachments that actually act as the malware downloader.
So far, it seems MOST of these scams that people get infected with DO come into a PC via email labeled from UPS, FEDEX, USPS or some other supposedly reliable source. but instead it infects the users pc and starts encrypting your files.
Backup your stuff on an external drive and disconnect it from your computer folks.
BAD NEWS ... From what I see, unless you pay the ransom, there is no fix and the files are are unrecoverable, at least for now.
Even then, there are no guarantees ... There have been cases when people have paid the ransom and the decryption did not work for whatever reason.
For the latest information on the CryptoLocker, please see this post: Cryptolocker Hijack program - Page 26 - General Security (trusted knowledgeable site)
From that post
Some users have stated it is possible to fix your ransomed files encrypted by the CryptoLocker malware/ransomware virus from a backup (that was not connected to your computer of course), or if you have System Restore, through the Shadow Volume copies that are created every time a system restore is performed.
If you do not have System Restore enabled on your computer or reliable backups, then sorry, you will need to pay the ransom in order to get your files decrypted from the Crypto locker hijack program.
Even Mozy and Carbonite will backup the encrypted versions if they are given time to, rendering those backups totally useless!
People become infected by downloading misleading email attachments that actually act as the malware downloader.
So far, it seems MOST of these scams that people get infected with DO come into a PC via email labeled from UPS, FEDEX, USPS or some other supposedly reliable source. but instead it infects the users pc and starts encrypting your files.
Backup your stuff on an external drive and disconnect it from your computer folks.
BAD NEWS ... From what I see, unless you pay the ransom, there is no fix and the files are are unrecoverable, at least for now.
Even then, there are no guarantees ... There have been cases when people have paid the ransom and the decryption did not work for whatever reason.
For the latest information on the CryptoLocker, please see this post: Cryptolocker Hijack program - Page 26 - General Security (trusted knowledgeable site)
From that post
Some users have stated it is possible to fix your ransomed files encrypted by the CryptoLocker malware/ransomware virus from a backup (that was not connected to your computer of course), or if you have System Restore, through the Shadow Volume copies that are created every time a system restore is performed.
If you do not have System Restore enabled on your computer or reliable backups, then sorry, you will need to pay the ransom in order to get your files decrypted from the Crypto locker hijack program.