VIRUS ALERT! Government warning over 'life savings draining' GameOver Zeus and Cryptolocker viruses
The highly sophisticated malicious software is being used by hackers to steal personal and financial data worldwide.
By Dave Lancaster |17:19 04 June 2014
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If you're concerned about Cryptolocker and GameOver Zeus…. call our freephone hotline on 0800 915 6134 today to speak to our friendly UK virus expert team.
Make sure your computers, tablets and other devices are covered by our renowned anti-virus package, complete with free updates.
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Know the basics? Our essential 'what you need to know' guide is below
A warning has been issued to thousands of computer users in Britain encouraging them to take action to safeguard their machines against a sophisticated virus used by hackers to extort millions of pounds from victims worldwide.
The National Crime Agency issued the warning and gave computer users two weeks to take action after it gained access to servers used to control the malicious software, which has been stealing personal and financial information across the globe.
The virus, known as GameOver Zeus, is believed to have infected more than 15,000 computers in the UK. The FBI believes that this software is responsible for £60m in losses.
US and European officials have also cracked Cryptolocker which is a virus that shut hundreds of thousands of computer users out of their own files. The files would only be freed if a ransom was paid.
"Nobody wants their personal financial details, business information or photographs of loved ones to be stolen or held to ransom by criminals," said Andy Archibald, deputy director of the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit.
"By making use of this two-week window, huge numbers of people in the UK can stop that from happening to them. Whether you find online security complicated or confusing, or simply haven’t thought about keeping your personal or office computers safe for a while, now is the time to take action."
James Cole, the US Deputy Attorney General, said: “These schemes were highly sophisticated and immensely lucrative, and the cyber criminals did not make them easy to reach or disrupt.”
Anti-cybercrime experts have advised computer users to update their first line of defence – their own internet security software and virus checkers.
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The basics: What you need to know about ransomware, Cryptolocker, GameOver Zeus and other viruses
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a malicious form software which holds your files to ransom, forcing you to pay out to unlock your files.
What do I need to know about Cryptolocker and GameOver Zeus?
- It's often spread through infected email attachments
- It can then spread to secondary computers connected to it
- Your bank details, personal photos and videos, passwords and important documents ARE at risk!
- The ransomware encrypts files on the computer with information from a virus central server. When files are encrypted, the message to paid for an unlock is issued. Non payment results in the files being destroyed.
- From the first week of June 2014 there is a two week window to protect computers. Why two weeks is unknown but it's thought that government agencies have disabled the virus and can keep it down for a short time before the cyber criminals rebuild it.
Does Cryptolocker just affect PCs or can it infect mobiles and Apple products too?
So far just Windows PCs running XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 are at risk.
Will I get my files back if I pay the ransom?
Remember that you're dealing with criminals here - hardly the most trustworthy bunch. Having said that, some victims have reported that their files HAVE been restored after they pay the ransom but these funds will likely go into further criminal exploits.
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If you're concerned about Cryptolocker and GameOver Zeus…. call our freephone hotline on 0800 915 6134 today to speak to our friendly UK virus expert team.
Make sure your computers, tablets and other devices are covered by our renowned anti-virus package, complete with free updates.