CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Watch out! There’s a new computer virus you need to know about. It steals your files and makes you pay hundreds of dollars to get it back.
This new virus is called Crypto Locker. It looks like its from an official company, like your bank or Fedex, etc. Then it sends an email asking you to click on a link, but beware!
Once you do this, the virus automatically begins downloading onto your computer; encrypting all of your files says Firefold Server Administrator Danial Bulloch, “There’s no way for a tech like myself to recover that. It’s very dangerous.”
JCSU student, James Jeffrey says if a virus hit his computer it would ruin his life, “I could lose all the music I’ve made. I could lose a bunch of projects a bunch of pictures, important emails.”
The only way you can get your information back is by paying the thieves three hundred dollars. They tell you to use a Moneypak, which is a re-loadable debit card says Bulloch, “So you give them the 300 dollars and they do actually un-encrypt your files.”
Filtering your spam email can keep the malware out of your in box. Keeping your software updated can also help protect you from what Bulloch calls a cat and mouse game, “The antivirus systems update they now catch the malware. Well the malware changes a little bit and the anti virus doesn’t catch it anymore.”
