Cryptowall virus

[Ninja108]

Just wanted to warn everyone about a NASTY malware virus called Cryptowall. There are also versions of it called Cryptolocker and Cryptobit.
What it does is encrypt your files so that previously workable and accessable movies, photos and programs no longer work.
It can get on your computer through e-mail links but also through versions of adobe, java and other programs that don't have security fixes in them.
If it gets on your computer you are pretty much screwed unless you want to pay $500 to these crooks and even then there is a strong chance you won't get your files back.
It can also infect portable drives and thumb drive connected to your computer.
I got "lucky" in that I was able to save most of my photos and songs because I was able to go to previous versions on my computer but the ones on my drives connected to the computer (I was able to disconnect it halfway through) are not.
Many of them are probably gone for good since I'm NOT paying my hard earned money to these crooks.
Thus I will have to rebuy and download many things which is easily going to take a month or more.
Bottom line, if you have photos or other things you treasure, create mulitple backup systems for them and do NOT leave them connected to your main hard drive if you aren't using them.
I have gotten this ransonware garbage off my computer but I have learned my lesson about backing up files, hopefully everyone else has as well.

 

[cityboy-stl]

Thanks for the info. This is just downright mean.I hope they catch these assholes and encrypt the key to their jail cell with their own software.

Hope you were able to recover as much as possible.

 

[Ninja108]

Thanks for the info. This is just downright mean.I hope they catch these assholes and encrypt the key to their jail cell with their own software.

Hope you were able to recover as much as possible.

I was lucky enough that many of the things I lost were stored on my computor where I could go back to previous versions.
The stuff on my external drives...another story. I'm saving my pics with the hope one day a code will come out to crack them.
Other then that, I accepted the fact much of the stuff I had is gone for good, but other then the pics, nothing I don't mind losing.

 

[ScottishBiTeen]

I've heard about these things. I've been lucky enough to avoid infection so far.

 

[borg69unimatrix]

Never heard of it... but maybe something here can help? Check the youtube video's.

 

[Ninja108]

Never heard of it... but maybe something here can help? Check the youtube video's.

I looked.. sad to say but there really is nothing you can do for external drives that get infected other then to pay up.
Learned an important lesson.. always back things up and never learn your external drives plugged i if you aren't using them.

 

[borg69unimatrix]

That's unfortunate. If it were me, I'd hold onto it in the hopes that some nice hacker comes along some day and posts a way to cure/fix it.

 

[Telstra]

Thanks for the info. This is just downright mean.I hope they catch these assholes and encrypt the key to their jail cell with their own software.

Hope you were able to recover as much as possible.

Yea its like destroying other people's photos, video ... etc so a harsh punishment is necessary.

 

[Ninja108]

That's unfortunate. If it were me, I'd hold onto it in the hopes that some nice hacker comes along some day and posts a way to cure/fix it.

I am doing just that with my photos. But some of the movies and stuff I lost I can copy off the cds I have them or are I simply don't watch anymore.
As to the people doing it, I fully agree, I hope the book is thrown at them but since it's coming from Russia, not holding my breath.

 

[futilis1]

help here, I hope
https://www.decryptcryptolocker.com/