Are You Infected?

 

‘Tis the season for more than just shopping, family and overeating. It’s virus season…for you as well as your computer. The Crypto Locker virus is new and it can have devastating results, such as hijacking your computer and wiping out everything on it. This virus is generally in an email that looks like it is from a legitimate business. The email looks like the real thing so the recipient opens it and…bam…you’re the latest victim. This email contains a common type of file extension and, if you download the file, it will install the virus on your computer. Next, a message, from the hackers responsible for this virus, pops up demanding money or else everything on your hard drive will be destroyed. You are generally given up to 100 hours to pay the ransom and retrieve your files. This virus is just one example of what is called “ransomware” because it locks you out of your computer until you pay the ransom. No need to completely freak out, though. We’ve provided a link to the original article which has more information on what to do if you are infected.