Encryption virus scam is no laughing matter – Sentinel & Enterprise

Norm Morin

In case you haven't heard, there are plenty of scams circulating on the Internet.

The most popular one is the encryption virus scam. This one is real nasty. If your computer is infected, any documents, pictures, or any personal files will be encrypted. For all purposes, your files are as good as gone.

The usual delivery method is by email. You might receive a fake notice of a missed delivery. When you open the attachment included in the email, the virus is launched. The virus encrypts any files that your computer has and will attempt to encrypt any files that are available to your computer on the local network.

Viruses used to be considered pranks, files could be deleted but the encryption virus attempts to extort you for access to your files. This is serious business. Encryption virus scams generate big money for criminals. Every anti-virus developer has statistics available. It doesn't matter whose information you believe, criminals are making big money.

Viruses are pretty old news. It didn't seem like law enforcement was doing anything about the encryption virus scammers. The scammers have caused serious damages with impunity. You won't see any big news headlines that encryption virus scammers are being apprehended. The news media seems more preoccupied with scaring the public. The encryption virus scammers are being apprehended and convicted of their crimes. They are getting serious jail sentences.

The best defense against the encryption virus is having a good backup.

It is too late to think about the encryption virus after your computer is infected. You can't do much to recover from the virus. Are you comfortable to pay the ransom? Would you pay a criminal to give you access to your files? When the virus first appeared, the ransomware developers operated on an honor system. They promised to give victims keys to gain access to their files. The current scammers may or may not give the victims keys to unlock their files. Would you expect to get your files back if you paid the ransom?

One has to wonder, after the ransomware scams are stopped, what will be the next scam? How many times during the day have you been accosted by scammers. It tax season and scammers have turned their attention to people expecting tax refunds. Money will always attract scammers. Don't get taken by a con, use common sense.

Norm Morin is founder of NKC Systems computer repair and consulting. Call 978-453-1355; visit 155 Broadway Road, Dracut; or email techside@nkcsystems.com.

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Encryption virus scam is no laughing matter - Sentinel & Enterprise