What is a Ransomware Attack?
A ransomware attack is when an attacker uses malware to encrypt your files and demand money in exchange for the decryption key. The most common way of doing this is by locking you out of your computer until you pay up, but there are other ways too.
How do I know if my PC has been infected with a Ransomware Virus?
You can check whether or not your system has been infected using McAfee’s free online scanner. If it detects that your PC has been affected by a virus then you will be given instructions on how to remove it.
What are the symptoms of a ransomware attack?
The following are some of the common symptoms of a ransomware infection:
Your screen becomes black
When you try to open an application or access a website, you receive an error message saying “This page isn’t working” or “We can’t connect to this site at the moment. Please try again later.”
You see a warning message when opening a file or accessing a web page
When you try to open a document or perform a search online, you receive a warning message saying “Warning! Your computer might be infected with malware.”
A pop-up window appears
A pop-up window appears on your screen and says that your files have been encrypted or that they cannot be opened because they were damaged by a virus. The message also tells you how much money you need to pay for them to be unlocked.
Files disappear from your hard drive
Some of your important documents and other files disappear from your hard drive. You may not even know where they went.
Unable to access your email account
If you cannot access your email account, you will receive an error message saying something like “An unexpected problem has occurred while trying to send mail.”
How to Remove a Ransomware Virus
If you have been infected with a ransomware virus then you need to use anti-malware software to remove it from your PC as soon as possible. You should also make sure that all your backups are stored offline so that they cannot be accessed by any attackers.
If you don’t want to spend time trying to manually remove a ransomware virus yourself, we recommend using our automated removal tool which does it for you. It’s completely free, safe, and quick.
Ransomware: What are some examples of these attacks?
As we know [ransomware] is a type of malware that encrypts files on your computer and then demands payment to decrypt them. This usually happens when you open an infected email attachment, click on a link or visit a malicious website. The ransomware will lock up your files, preventing you from accessing them until you pay the ransom. It’s important to note that this attack does not affect all computers at once; it only affects one computer at a time. Once the ransomware has encrypted your files, it may also delete any backups you have made of those files.
Here are some popular examples of ransomware attacks
CryptoLocker – This is one of the most popular types of ransomware viruses. They usually lock users out of their computers unless they pay a ransom fee. CryptoLocker was first discovered in September 2013 and since then it has become very widespread.
Sofacy – Sofacy is another type of ransomware virus that locks users out of their PCs. However, unlike CryptoLocker, Sofacy only demands $300 per machine instead of $500.
Locky – Locky is yet another type of ransomware virus. It locks users out of their computers, forces them to watch videos, and displays messages demanding payment. Locky has been around since 2014 and it has spread rapidly across the globe.
Petya/NotPetya – Petya/Notpetya is a variant of the WannaCry ransomware virus. Unlike WannaCry, however, Petya/NotPetya doesn’t affect Windows XP machines. Instead, it targets Windows 7 and 8 systems.
Wannacry – Wannacry is a ransomware virus that affects Microsoft Windows operating systems. It spreads via malicious attachments sent through email. Once it infects a user’s computer, it starts encrypting data and displaying messages demanding a ransom fee.
Wiper – Wiper is a ransomware virus that deletes all the files on a user’s hard drive. It is extremely dangerous because once it gets into a user’s system, it may delete everything including important documents, photos, and even personal information.
NotPetya – NotPetya is a variant form of the WannaCry virus. It differs from WannaCry in that it only affects older versions of Microsoft Windows (Windows XP).
Cryptowall – Cryptowall is a new type of ransomware virus that encrypts files on a user‘s computer. It is different from other types of ransomware viruses because it doesn’t display any messages asking for a ransom. Instead, it just locks users out of their systems.
Bad Rabbit – Bad Rabbit is an advanced version of the Locky ransomware virus. It can steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and passwords.
CryptoLocker Ransomware
Have you ever received an email from someone claiming to be from FedEx or UPS? If yes, then you might want to check out this article. This type of scam has become very common lately.
The CryptoLocker virus was created by the notorious cybercriminal group called ‘Shadow Brokers’. They released a huge trove of data stolen from the NSA. The hackers claimed that they had obtained the information from the U.S. government.
This ransomware was designed to encrypt files on infected computers. Once encrypted, the user would receive a ransom note demanding payment to decrypt their files.
History of CryptoLocker Ransomware
CryptoLocker started spreading back in September 2013. Since then it has become very popular. It has affected more than 500,000 computers worldwide.
In April 2015, the FBI issued a warning about the threat posed by CryptoLocker. It said that the virus could lock up your entire PC and demand a ransom.
In June 2016, the FBI arrested three men who were responsible for creating the CryptoLocker virus. One of the suspects was named Dmitry Tarabukin. He was accused of selling access to the source code of the virus.
In August 2017, the Shadow Brokers published a massive collection of data stolen from the National Security Agency. Amongst the leaked data was the source code of the CryptoLocker virus which they used to create the ransomware.
How do we get infected with the CryptoLocker virus?
CryptoLocker virus is one of the most dangerous viruses which attacks users’ computers. There are various ways through which you can get infected with this virus. Some of them are mentioned below.
Downloading Malicious Software
Some websites offer software downloads without verifying whether the downloaded file contains harmful components. As soon as you click on such links, you could be infected with malware.
Opening Email Attachments
Some emails contain malicious attachments. These attachments usually come disguised as images or videos. When opened, these attachments automatically execute the code contained within them.
Social Engineering
Phishing scams are also another way through which people fall prey to this infection. In phishing scams, criminals send fake messages to trick users into revealing personal details like credit card numbers, bank account details, etc.
How Does CryptoLocker Work?
When people open emails containing links to malicious websites, they are often tricked into downloading malware onto their computers. When the victim opens the attachment, the file will automatically start running on their computer.
Once the virus is installed, it will begin searching for certain files on the user’s computer. These include:
– Documents
– Pictures
– Music
– Videos
– Other files
When it finds these files, it encrypts them using a special algorithm. Then, it displays a message saying that the files have been locked due to copyright infringement.
It also creates a folder with the same name as the original file. Inside this folder, there will be another file labeled “Decryptor”.
The decryption key is stored inside this second file. However, if the user tries to run the program, it will crash.
How to remove CryptoLocker Ransomware Virus
There are several ways through which you can remove the CryptoLocker virus from your computer. Here are some methods to follow:
If you have been hit with CryptoLocker ransomware, here are some steps you should take:
Step 1 – Remove the virus
First things first, make sure that you remove the virus completely. Make sure that all traces of it are gone before continuing. You may use any antivirus program for this purpose.
Step 2 – Restore your computer’s system files
Once you have removed the virus, you will need to restore your computer’s original operating system. Your best bet is to download and install Windows 10. It comes pre-installed with many useful tools to help you recover your files.
Step 3 – Reinstall important programs
Once you have restored your computer’s system files, you can reinstall your most used applications. These include Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader, etc.
Step 4 – Change your passwords
Change your password immediately after restoring your computer’s system files. Also, change your account login credentials if needed.
Step 5 – Contact law enforcement
You should contact local law enforcement authorities about this incident.
What Can You Do To Prevent Yourself From Being Infected By CryptoLocker?
If you get an email from someone claiming that he/she is from FedEx or UPS, do not click on any link contained within the email. Instead, close the email immediately.
If you think that you may have downloaded a malicious attachment, do not open it. If you cannot identify the sender of the email, then delete it immediately.
- Always check the URL of any website before clicking on it. Never visit suspicious sites unless you know what they are.
- Do not reply to spam emails. Spam emails often contain malicious attachments.
- Do not give out any personal information over the phone. Criminals may try to steal your personal data by pretending to be legitimate companies.
- Never share your financial information online. This includes usernames and passwords.
- Never respond to unsolicited emails. They may contain malicious attachments.
- Downloading free apps from unknown sources can lead to infections. Always verify the source of the app before downloading it.
- Never click on links in emails without verifying their authenticity. Malicious websites often disguise themselves as trusted ones.
- Never open attachments received via email. Malicious attachments can infect your PC.
- Never download software from untrusted sources. Many viruses spread through fake downloads.
- Never open e-mails containing attachments from people you don’t know. Hackers may send these emails to trick you into opening them.
- Remember that there are always two sides to every story. Before believing everything you read, double-check the facts.
Get Rid Of Cryptolocker Virus Free In A Short Time
It is always advisable to keep your system up to date with the latest security patches and updates. Always remember not to open suspicious links or attachments sent via email. Never share sensitive information over social media platforms. If you suspect that your device has been compromised, then immediately call an expert.
How To Remove Ransomware Virus Safely And Quickly?
The best way to remove ransomware viruses safely and quickly is to use our powerful anti-malware tool called “Ransomware Removal Tool”. It will scan all your drives for malware, including hidden threats like Cryptolocker ransomware and other dangerous programs. The program will detect infected files and folders and eliminate them automatically. Moreover, the removal process is very easy: just follow the instructions displayed on the screen.
After the removal is complete, you will see a message informing you that your files were successfully restored. Now you can start using your computer again!
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