KnowBe4 says that CryptoLocker Ratcheting up Levels of Attack

Insurancenewsnet.com reported on 20th May, 2014 stating that KnowBe4, an IT security firm, (Tampa Bay, Florida, US), issued new reports confirming ratcheting up of attack levels by CryptoLocker.

The latest contamination is caused by spear-phishing sent to businesses having employment postings on CraigsList. The scammers look for career postings and email resumes containing CryptoLocker, as payload and the moment these resumes are opened, the ransomware starts off and leads to compromising of files. People concerned with appointing are usually the ones with the maximum access; the proprietor, chief executive, HR or heads of department.

CryptoLocker has been proved extremely successful for cybercriminals with forty percent of affected people apparently are paying ransom. Sadly, just removing the CryptoLocker malware does not work as once it has been installed, encrypted files remain in control of cybercriminals.

Tweaktown.com published a report on 20th May, 2014 quoting Stu Sjouwerman, Chief Executive Officer of security vendor KnowBe4 as saying, "These methods pose high risk for companies looking to hire as well as for individual Internet users. The cyber-gangs running these Crypto-variants will try any number of things to outdo each other and extort your hard earned money. Since the weakest point in any security model is the person who touches the keyboard, it is vital to educate users what to look for. Stepping them through effective Security Awareness Training will make them think twice before clicking on a link, or open a possibly infected attachment."

The online Information Technology group Spiceworks and its forums are jam-packed with horror stories about companies attacked with CryptoLocker and its emulator CryptoDefense. One highly popular thread entitled: "We fought a cryptovirus (and the virus won)." The debate goes on long occurring several web pages, highlighting intense worries this new kind of ransomware has generated.

Sjouwerman adds that keeping backup of work is essential as your backups largely determine the quantum of danger caused by these ransomwares. You can spend anything from few hours to few days to mitigate many "crypto" infections and you may undergo annoyance caused due to large amount of losses.

» SPAMfighter News - 5/29/2014