Hi my fellow Dokugans,

Just a note that on the news there's been a news-wave about a new ransomeware/malware virus being downloaded and distributed via email. It's called Cryptolocker, a new/old variant of the FBI/Police virus released a couple years ago.

Cryptolocker apparently distributes itself through email via attachments, I'm assuming some kind of .exe file that's executable or a program file that will download and install itself onto your PC if you 'activate it'.

The Crypto email apparently looks very 'official' even though it's essentially a scam. Once opened the trojan/virus will download, install, and start to encrypt the files on your PC, even going as far as to encrypt more PCs across a network, which is what happened to a few businesses that I know of.

Crypto will then demand that you pay a fee for them to 'unlock' your PC within a certain time-frame.

Advice through anti-malware channels is to not pay the fee, and to have up-to-date antivirus, anti-malware, and systems update (especially if you use Windows).

Advice is also to reinstall those infected files from a back-up, presuming that you back-up your files regularly.

It also targets these known file types too: 3fr, accdb, ai, arw, bay, cdr, cer, cr2, crt, crw, dbf, dcr, der, dng, doc, docm, docx, dwg, dxf, dxg, eps, erf, indd, jpe, jpg, kdc, mdb, mdf, mef, mrw, nef, nrw, odb, odm, odp, ods, odt, orf, p12, p7b, p7c, pdd, pef, pem, pfx, ppt, pptm, pptx, psd, pst, ptx, r3d, raf, raw, rtf, rw2, rwl, srf, srw, wb2, wpd, wps, xlk, xls, xlsb, xlsm, xlsx

So yah fanfiction writers using Windows Word old and new you could lose your stories, just saying unless they're backed up.

So advice wise, regularly update your updates XD, do regular full system scans, and Don't open suspicious emails with suspicious attachments from people you don't know!

If that email looks odd, delete it!

Resist the temptation to open it!

Resist! XD!

Here's a blog on it from malwarebytes: Malwarebytes on Cryptolocker

And CompWorld's Take on Avoiding Infection: ComputerWorld on Cryptolocker

~ Pyre

One more bit of advice, if I may...

BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER REGULARLY!

I have experienced the 'hard drive failure' data-loss syndrome too many times now and am a firm believer in having a back up in the event something like this befalls me again!

External drives are becoming ever cheaper, "cloud" backups are becoming more popular with many available for free, so there isn't much reason not to back up your stuff. That's also the best way to avoid scams like this if you do fall prey to opening one of their malware attachments.

My two cents' worth!

~~Wiccan~~

I know all too well about the fbi virus scam. I have two computers and caught it on one of them. It locked up my computer and when you turn the computer on an fbi warning comes up and says I have to pay a fine or I can't get on my computer. For those out there who are unlucky to catch this virus DO NOT pay the "fine". It's nothing but a total scam.

I have heard about this virus and with the backup your computer, there is a website I use (and am a reseller) that gives you 50GB free and reasonable prices for more. If it's alright with the admins, I would be willing to post the link or pm it to those that want it.