Ransomware: A new word dedicated to those types of virus that aim to get the victim to pay out to have something done or fixed on their PC:
Wikipedia: Ransomware is a type of malware which restricts access to the computer system that it infects, and demands a ransom paid to the creator(s) of the malware in order for the restriction to be removed. Some forms of ransomware encrypt files on the system’s hard drive (cryptoviral extortion, a threat originally envisioned by Adam Young and Moti Yung), while some may simply lock the system and display messages intended to coax the user into paying.
![PCEU_ransomware](http://underscores.mpal.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/PCEU_ransomware-300x195.png)
Typically they fall into these kind of things:
- Changing your home screen, home page, desktop background or any combination to show a “ransom” screen.
- Calls from call centres , often, with an Indian accent, saying they can fix your PC
- sometimes linked to the BT/Yahoo security leak (they get your name phone number by hacking someone else’s system)
- Calls from people claiming they work for your bank/Microsoft/Apple ….and others…all trying to find out personal details including bank details and PIN
- Emails, apparently from friends, asking for money to help them out of a problem
- Emails from people you don’t know offering too-good-to-be-true deals or needed to dump money into your bank account
![](http://underscores.mpal.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/ransomware-email.jpg)
Simple rules with any of these types of scam:
- is NEVER, EVER give any details whatsoever to someone who has cold called you. Not even your name.
- If it appears suspicious, then it probably is: Don’t respond
How can I help?
There’s some steps you can take to help yourself: changing passwords being a top choice.
For more persistent problems drop me a line.