The FBI, Europol and various security software firms have collaborated together to temporarily stop the attacks from the Cryptolocker and GOZeus malware. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your PC and data safe.
The threat of Cryptolocker and GOZeuS
Both are dangerous piece of malware program. Cryptolocker encrypts your files and demands a ransom to decrypt them. Though, there’s no certainty that you’ll get access to your files if you pay up,
and there’s no other way to decrypt them.
GOZeuS (GameOverZeuS, also known as P2PZeuS) is an advanced piece of malware that scans your
PC for financial – banking – details and other valuable personal data which the hacker can sell on.
The two work together with Cryptolocker kicking in after GOZeuS has done its filthy work.
How to keep your PC safe
1. Keep Windows up to date with the latest security patches and other fixes. This should happen automatically, unless you disabled Windows Update. To check if Windows is up to date, run the Windows Update tool. Search for it
in the Start menu.
2. Make sure your antivirus or internet security suite is fully up to date and hasn’t been disabled. If you haven’t installed any antivirus
software, or you’ve let a subscription lapse, be sure to re-subscribe or install some free software such as AVG or Avira.
3. Don’t open email attachments or click on links in emails unless, you’re sure that they’re safe. This is how most phishing attacks work, and don’t assume that just because an email is from a trusted person that attachments and links are
safe. Their email password may have been hacked and the hacker might be using their account to send out phishing emails. Expect to receive emails purporting to be from your internet service provider or the government asking you to click on links or open attachments. These are the ways in which criminals try to trick you and get you to give them your personal information.
If anything seems suspicious, like if you recieve a mail saying 'Dear customer' rather than your fullname - delete the email immediately. If you do click on a link or open an attachment, the malware may install itself automatically, so always becareful.
4. Backup your most important documents. This is absolutely vital to protect against Cryptolocker. It doesn’t matter if your files are encrypted, if you have an upto date backup, You can simply restore the files.
To backup your PC; copy the contents of your user folder(Documents, Photos, Videos and any other files that can’t be easily replaced) to a portable hard drive that you can store separately from your PC(e.g flash drive).
Also read:Unlock any huwei internet modem without using software
5. if your desktop or laptop computer has a webcam, you might consider covering it up with a piece of masking tape as these malicious programs may be able to access your device’s cameras and take
photos or video.
The threat of Cryptolocker and GOZeuS
Both are dangerous piece of malware program. Cryptolocker encrypts your files and demands a ransom to decrypt them. Though, there’s no certainty that you’ll get access to your files if you pay up,
and there’s no other way to decrypt them.
GOZeuS (GameOverZeuS, also known as P2PZeuS) is an advanced piece of malware that scans your
PC for financial – banking – details and other valuable personal data which the hacker can sell on.
The two work together with Cryptolocker kicking in after GOZeuS has done its filthy work.
How to keep your PC safe
1. Keep Windows up to date with the latest security patches and other fixes. This should happen automatically, unless you disabled Windows Update. To check if Windows is up to date, run the Windows Update tool. Search for it
in the Start menu.
2. Make sure your antivirus or internet security suite is fully up to date and hasn’t been disabled. If you haven’t installed any antivirus
software, or you’ve let a subscription lapse, be sure to re-subscribe or install some free software such as AVG or Avira.
3. Don’t open email attachments or click on links in emails unless, you’re sure that they’re safe. This is how most phishing attacks work, and don’t assume that just because an email is from a trusted person that attachments and links are
safe. Their email password may have been hacked and the hacker might be using their account to send out phishing emails. Expect to receive emails purporting to be from your internet service provider or the government asking you to click on links or open attachments. These are the ways in which criminals try to trick you and get you to give them your personal information.
If anything seems suspicious, like if you recieve a mail saying 'Dear customer' rather than your fullname - delete the email immediately. If you do click on a link or open an attachment, the malware may install itself automatically, so always becareful.
4. Backup your most important documents. This is absolutely vital to protect against Cryptolocker. It doesn’t matter if your files are encrypted, if you have an upto date backup, You can simply restore the files.
To backup your PC; copy the contents of your user folder(Documents, Photos, Videos and any other files that can’t be easily replaced) to a portable hard drive that you can store separately from your PC(e.g flash drive).
Also read:Unlock any huwei internet modem without using software
5. if your desktop or laptop computer has a webcam, you might consider covering it up with a piece of masking tape as these malicious programs may be able to access your device’s cameras and take
photos or video.
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