Ransomware is a type of malware that holds your computer hostage with
threats that you may lose all the files on the disk with no hope of
recovery, unless that is, you pay a fee for the only program in the
world that will clean up your computer.
Bullies come in all types, but this type of cyber bully doesn't
deliver what he promises. Occasionally we hear from you that you paid
for "the program" and it didn't do what it was supposed to do. Most of
these ransomware criminal gangs originate in eastern Europe where they
receive your payment electronically. When the program fails to do what
it promises, they have no online support phone number for you to call.
I remember a trip to the Grand Canyon quite a few years ago. It was
memorable because we were "held up" at "gunpoint" while riding the
stagecoach. The "robbers" wore bandana masks and acted shady. You could
clearly see that they were bandits. It's not that easy to tell who the
bad guys are online. There are no guns or covered faces online, but
behind your internet connection is a really, really bad guy.
Legitimate software vendors don't hold your files for ransom. This
is how the bad guys operate. If a program "offers" to clean up your
computer, don't accept. It may sound like a good deal, but that 20$ or
50$ could end up costing you a lot more. If those bad guys use your
credit card information for nefarious purposes, then your credit may go
down the tubes and you may have problems for years to come.
So what do you do???????
1. Plan ahead. Install a program now that will work in safe mode.
Safe mode turns off a lot of malware, but not all programs will work in
safe mode. Very few will. Download Malwarebytes Antimalware now and keep
it up to date. Buy a registered version of it. It's worth the money.
2. Press control alt and delete at the same time. Choose to restart
your computer and do it in safe mode by pressing F8. Once in safe mode,
you can run a scan to remove the ransomware.
3. Backup your data today. That way if your computer does get hijacked, you are ready.
5. Take it to a professional if you need to. Instead of messing it
up further, sometimes it's better to let the professionals save your
data. If you wait too long the price can soar over 1000$ so, in
comparison, paying a tech service a couple hundred dollars isn't that
bad. Know your limitations. Asking for help doesn't mean you are not
smart, it means you are smart.
Hope that helps. Don't get hijacked. Scan regularly and stay on the lookout for online bandits.
