October 26, 2013
Crypto Locker Virus infects computers across the nation today and it is not an easy virus to ignore. According to
Fox News on Oct. 25, the Crypto Locker Virus “bullies you into taking the bait."
Being called “one of the worst viruses they have ever seen” by computer experts, essentially this Crypto Locker Virus “holds your computer hostage.” In a nutshell this Crypto Locker Virus demands you pay a set amount of the ransom money or lose everything on your hard drive. Computer experts say you might not have much of a choice but to pay the ransom.
How does the virus enter your computer?
The virus enters your computer through an
email that you open because it looks like it’s from a legitimate company such as
FedEx or
UPS. It locks your computer up so you cannot access anything. This computer virus asks for a ransom that ranges from $100 to $300 so your computer will be restored back to normal. Some users have been asked to pay up to $700, claims one computer expert.
Computer Expert Anthony Mongeluzo reports you are left with two choices, the virus gives you 100 hours from the time you open the email to pay the ransom. This would be one of your choices. If you have a backup you can recover, which is your second choice.
If you don’t pay when the 100 hours are up, “you lose all your data,” said Mongeluzo. The virus has a special key and without that key, you can’t access your files. The ransom asks for the money then supplies you with that key when you pay.
Mongeluzo warns if you get the virus before paying the ransom bring your computer to an expert. There are now some copy-cats out there demanding a ransom, but they haven’t unleashed the Crypto Locker Virus into your computer. You would be paying the ransom for nothing.
How do you pay the ransom:
“The way they’re accepting payments is bitcoin, a new form of cash that’s been making headway on the Internet. It’s used for lot of illegal activities.” Mongeluzo said.
The Crypto Virus has already struck news station and they had no choice but to pay the ransom. ABC 33-40 in Birmingham, Alabama, was one of the many victims so far and the director of the station was left with no option but to pay the money demanded.
“You buy this $300 Green Dot MoneyPak, you cannot use a credit card for it, it had to be cash or debit card. Once they claim the funds, they unlock your files. If those files had been lost, it could’ve affected 10 years’ worth of work by several departments,” said Ron Thomas, the station director.
Warning: Be careful when you open emails and make sure all your files and photos are on backup, warns the computer experts today.
