Cops held ransom by Cryptolocker
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 11/22/2013 04:30 PM
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Massachusetts cops were forced to pay a ransom when their systems became infected with the Cryptolocker malware.
The cops called in the FBI to investigate when one of their computers in Swansea, Massachusetts, was infected by the malware. the cops decided that it would be easier to pay the ransom.
"It was an education for [those who] had to deal with it," Swansea police lieutenant Gregory Ryan said. "The virus is so complicated and successful that you have to buy these Bitcoins, which we had never heard of."
"The virus is not here anymore," Ryan said. "We've upgraded our antivirus software. We're going to try to tighten the belt, and have experts come in, but as all computer experts say, there is no foolproof way to lock your system down."
Cryptolocker primarily spreads via email attachments, typically a PDF that claims to be from a government department or delivery service. Experts advise not to open attachments unless you are sure of its contents and the source.
We list the CryptoPrevent utility which can be used to help prevent infection by Cryptolocker malware.
The cops called in the FBI to investigate when one of their computers in Swansea, Massachusetts, was infected by the malware. the cops decided that it would be easier to pay the ransom.
"It was an education for [those who] had to deal with it," Swansea police lieutenant Gregory Ryan said. "The virus is so complicated and successful that you have to buy these Bitcoins, which we had never heard of."
"The virus is not here anymore," Ryan said. "We've upgraded our antivirus software. We're going to try to tighten the belt, and have experts come in, but as all computer experts say, there is no foolproof way to lock your system down."
Cryptolocker primarily spreads via email attachments, typically a PDF that claims to be from a government department or delivery service. Experts advise not to open attachments unless you are sure of its contents and the source.
We list the CryptoPrevent utility which can be used to help prevent infection by Cryptolocker malware.
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