don't know if this will Pos or Neg affect BTC perception - Crypto Locker Virus

[EatonABooger]

New virus out there.
Encrypts your hard-drive.  You must pay ransom in bitcoins to unlock your machine.

I have not been able to confirm or debunk this article yet.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/23783270/crypto-locker-virus-infects-computers-across-us

Definitely gets more public attention placed on bitcoin.

[SheHadMANHands]

From what I've read, this is not new.  A ransom virus like this has been around for years.  It's not surprising that it would start demanding bitcoin payments (or some other digital currency).

[theonewhowaskazu]

I've seen ransom viruses before but this one is unique in that it actually works. Ironically, very few of these viruses bother to use "real" encryption with the private key stored off of the computer.
What I'm wondering is what happens when someone clicks "next". Are they prompted with some screen allowing them to purchase Bitcoins? With what? Lol. It just seems like such a troll.

[Zangelbert Bingledack]

Probably positive. Besides the fact that Bitcoin is still small enough that "all publicity is good publicity," it also adds to the perception that Bitcoin is "good money." Plus there must be countries or people who cannot send the money any other way and will be forced to learn Bitcoin in order to get their files back. If there's a virus in the future that requires payment only in Bitcoin, that will make it even stronger. I don't really feel like it'll affect Bitcoin perception negatively anyway, since it's clearly just people wanting bitcoins, which isn't Bitcoin's fault.

[theonewhowaskazu]

Probably positive. Besides the fact that Bitcoin is still small enough that "all publicity is good publicity," it also adds to the perception that Bitcoin is "good money." Plus there must be countries or people who cannot send the money any other way and will be forced to learn Bitcoin in order to get their files back. If there's a virus in the future that requires payment only in Bitcoin, that will make it even stronger. I don't really feel like it'll affect Bitcoin perception negatively anyway, since it's clearly just people wanting bitcoins, which isn't Bitcoin's fault.

Well so was the silk road (people just wanting bitcoins), and that was sort of a disaster.