My computer have just been hacked for BITCOIN ransom!

[pereira4]

You should never have important information on a windows machine. If you can't afford 2 computers (because only total isolation is safe) you can just get constant backups on your usb pendrive of any sensible data, so if some fucker encrypts your computer you just have to format it and they will get nothing out of it. Also install malwarebytes anti ramsonware software.

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[xhomerx10]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

i am sorry to hear about this.

but thid has nothing to do with bitcoin. it is like any other ransom. it could have been done using fiat just the same way and that wouldn't have changed anybodys view on fiat.

Right. And a mugger could have used a pillow to smother you, but, for reasons that remain a mystery to me, he chose a Glock.

 Given that a mugger is someone who attacks and robs a person in a public place, I'd say he was probably hard pressed to find a pillow and you lying conveniently on a surface conducive to smothering.

[RoommateAgreement]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

i am sorry to hear about this.

but thid has nothing to do with bitcoin. it is like any other ransom. it could have been done using fiat just the same way and that wouldn't have changed anybodys view on fiat.

Right. And a mugger could have used a pillow to smother you, but, for reasons that remain a mystery to me, he chose a Glock.

no, he will use a piano wire. it is more effective!

[leopard2]

I think that your family cannot blame Bitcoin for insufficient security on your machine and criminal assholes. Remind your family that even central banks get hacked these days   

Put a security software on the machine, store important files on external drives or backup them frequently.

It is very important to store data files on a different drive or partition than the operating system (Windows in your case). This way Windows stays relatively thin and you can do an image backup of your C: drive on a regular basis, e.g. by Norton Ghost, onto an external disk. How regular? Just ask yourself how far you can go back without too much pain. For example, 3 months for the operating system and 1 week for data sound reasonable.

This saves you alot of work in cases like this. 

No matter how hard you try, things like this happen so good backups are the only way to go.

[Yakamoto]

You should never have important information on a windows machine. If you can't afford 2 computers (because only total isolation is safe) you can just get constant backups on your usb pendrive of any sensible data, so if some fucker encrypts your computer you just have to format it and they will get nothing out of it. Also install malwarebytes anti ramsonware software.

100%, always have your most important files stored on one or more drives in case anything happens to your computer, or someone ends up encrypting your files. At 90% of businesses, they have all of their files backed up and stored at multiple, typically varying locations, and are prepared for something like this most of the time.

If you don't have a backup, you might as well re-install windows so that they can't get anything more out of it. It isn't worth trying to fix unless you're very confident you'll be able to get around the encryption and get your files back.

[Ultrafinery]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

i am sorry to hear about this.

but thid has nothing to do with bitcoin. it is like any other ransom. it could have been done using fiat just the same way and that wouldn't have changed anybodys view on fiat.

Right. And a mugger could have used a pillow to smother you, but, for reasons that remain a mystery to me, he chose a Glock.

 Given that a mugger is someone who attacks and robs a person in a public place, I'd say he was probably hard pressed to find a pillow and you lying conveniently on a surface conducive to smothering.

You mean a Glock is a more practical choice? Not sure I understand what you're trying to say.

no, he will use a piano wire. it is more effective!

This one clearly preferred bitcoin a Glock. Neckbeards aren't that good with plano wire, requires actual physical prowess.

I think that if the hacker had asked for cash, even make your family have a worse image on cash!  Then no one work because fear on cash and they all starve because have no cash to buy nothing.

Cash is less practical than assaulting your mugging victim with a pillow, that's the whole point.
How do you think the cash ransom demand would look?
"Please deliver a brown paper bag full of banknotes to apt. 2, 1313 Mockingbird Ln, Cashville, OH?"

[xhomerx10]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

i am sorry to hear about this.

but thid has nothing to do with bitcoin. it is like any other ransom. it could have been done using fiat just the same way and that wouldn't have changed anybodys view on fiat.

Right. And a mugger could have used a pillow to smother you, but, for reasons that remain a mystery to me, he chose a Glock.

 Given that a mugger is someone who attacks and robs a person in a public place, I'd say he was probably hard pressed to find a pillow and you lying conveniently on a surface conducive to smothering.

You mean a Glock is a more practical choice? Not sure I understand what you're trying to say.

 That's too bad because it was sarcastically humorous much like your post yet more so.  It's okay, others will understand.

[Ultrafinery]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

i am sorry to hear about this.

but thid has nothing to do with bitcoin. it is like any other ransom. it could have been done using fiat just the same way and that wouldn't have changed anybodys view on fiat.

Right. And a mugger could have used a pillow to smother you, but, for reasons that remain a mystery to me, he chose a Glock.

 Given that a mugger is someone who attacks and robs a person in a public place, I'd say he was probably hard pressed to find a pillow and you lying conveniently on a surface conducive to smothering.

You mean a Glock is a more practical choice? Not sure I understand what you're trying to say.

 That's too bad because it was sarcastically humorous much like your post yet more so.  It's okay, others will understand.

Nah, that's just stupid. Of course mugging someone with a pillow is much more likely to result in utter failure, just as asking for cash will result in cops, not the desired bag of filthy gubermint scrip, appearing at your door. Duh.

[socks435]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

 I think that if the hacker had asked for cash, even make your family have a worse image on cash!  Then no one work because fear on cash and they all starve because have no cash to buy nothing.
Come on man - make your family smarter.  Explain to them how bitcoin is not the cause of this problem.  Then put a free internet security program on your computer:

Avira
360 total security
Comodo
Panda

Those free anti virus for me is not working when my laptop is infected with ransomeware.. better to install kaspersky total security and the link i given from the first page which is the decryptor to recover all files and removes the trojan virus and ransomeware..

[jackg]

This shows the importance of backing up files.
I think that there would probably be a way of returning the files from encrypted ones if you know the contents of the files from a backup then it is eaiser to restore them all.
I think these type of mechanisms would use minimalistic ciphers for encyption to confuse people, hoewver, these are easily reversed.

[The Arcitect]

This ransom ware is getting to be prevalent more and more these days.
I have heard them in the news at least three times in the two weeks.
Why aren't people investing into buying antivirus/anti malware software is beyond me.
And not relying on free trial versions, as that is only half the software's protection, is your first step too not getting yourself into this type situation in the first place.

[jackg]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

 I think that if the hacker had asked for cash, even make your family have a worse image on cash!  Then no one work because fear on cash and they all starve because have no cash to buy nothing.
Come on man - make your family smarter.  Explain to them how bitcoin is not the cause of this problem.  Then put a free internet security program on your computer:

Avira
360 total security
Comodo
Panda

Those free anti virus for me is not working when my laptop is infected with ransomeware.. better to install kaspersky total security and the link i given from the first page which is the decryptor to recover all files and removes the trojan virus and ransomeware..

Try using vitustotal.com which tests viruses agains all free software and offers some symantec insight into diferent files directly from the internet.
This takes up no space on your computer and means that you may not have to download and install anything or download potential threats.
If you do want to pay I would recommend Norton from Symantec^tm that seems the best paid one at the moment.

[BitcoinNewsMagazine]

You should never have important information on a windows machine. If you can't afford 2 computers (because only total isolation is safe) you can just get constant backups on your usb pendrive of any sensible data, so if some fucker encrypts your computer you just have to format it and they will get nothing out of it. Also install malwarebytes anti ramsonware software.

Most people use Windows; OSX and Linux are the minority, it would be helpful to list ways to secure Windows best as possible. I will start the discussion if you are using Windows. If you are using Windows 7 the best advice I can give you is not to update to Windows 10. Stick with Windows 7 for improved privacy.

1) Use Firefox, not Windows Explorer or Chrome. Go to Tools > Addons > Plugins and disable Shockwave Flash to prevent malware delivered by Flash banners. At the minimum use uBlock Origin extension to block all other ad banners.

2) Use a top rated security suite like Kaspersky Total Protection. Even with Kaspersky use good hygiene. Never click on links or banners in emails or heaven forbid open an attachment. Even friends can pass on a virus or trojan by forwarding a bad email. Most malware is delivered by email, not websites.

3) If you have more than a few bitcoin use a hardware wallet like Trezor.

4) Make a system restore disc and store safely in case you have to reformat your hard disk and restore from a backup. Get a 2-5 TH backup drive so you have plenty of space for multiple backups and backup weekly.

[eyeknock]

Have heard that kind of hacking software before, which encrypted all files on my computer, and when my brother have been using the computer (or course carelessly), it is hacked and they demand a 1.2BTC ransom... These are just one more bad news of BTC, and even make my family members have even worse image on bitcoin... And we decided not to pay the coins to the hacker as all important files have been backed up.

Whay do you think?

so in the end, you have not any problem, just reinstall and problem solved.

but i got what you are trying to say, dont worry, problem dont come from bitcoin, problem come from people who demand it, you and your family members should distinguish it.

[dothebeats]

I feel sorry for you , but the fact he asked for Bitcoin means that he knows you are using Bitcoin in the first place which leads us to :

1. It's someone you know and he hacked you somehow/made you download something/had your computer access.
2. You downloaded a malware (or a shitcoin wallet which contain a trojan).

-snip-

Ransomware hackers don't care if their victim is a bitcoin user or not. They want to get their demands in the easiest and most untraceable way possible, so bitcoin. If they posted a PayPal acct number, wouldn't that be dumb for them to do so in the first place?

1. Improbable, but still possible. But why would they (someone he knows) would even do that in the first place?

2. Malware is the culprit here, of course. Maybe the user of the machine forgot to turn off javascript and carelessly accessed the deep web. Most of these ransomware exist in the deep. Also, flash-based malware (malware that can be injected if a user clicked a flash image/object) are around the web, too, so disabling flash could help you minimize the risks of being infected by a malware.

Since OP backed up all important files in his pc and recovered it, this should be a lesson to all. Always do a backup of your important files (especially your bitcoin wallet keys) on a piece of paper or in a hardware wallet.

[sdp]

I feel sorry for you , but the fact he asked for Bitcoin means that he knows you are using Bitcoin in the first place which leads us to :

1. It's someone you know and he hacked you somehow/made you download something/had your computer access.
2. You downloaded a malware (or a shitcoin wallet which contain a trojan).

-snip-

Ransomware hackers don't care if their victim is a bitcoin user or not. They want to get their demands in the easiest and most untraceable way possible, so bitcoin. If they posted a PayPal acct number, wouldn't that be dumb for them to do so in the first place?

1. Improbable, but still possible. But why would they (someone he knows) would even do that in the first place?

2. Malware is the culprit here, of course. Maybe the user of the machine forgot to turn off javascript and carelessly accessed the deep web. Most of these ransomware exist in the deep. Also, flash-based malware (malware that can be injected if a user clicked a flash image/object) are around the web, too, so disabling flash could help you minimize the risks of being infected by a malware.

Since OP backed up all important files in his pc and recovered it, this should be a lesson to all. Always do a backup of your important files (especially your bitcoin wallet keys) on a piece of paper or in a hardware wallet.


 

A shared computer is only as secure as the least careful user.   That user might download a downloader exe or use flash because they require it on some random site as Administrator on Internet Explorer. 

sdp

[European Central Bank]

So how did the ransomware get into the machine? Someone might learn something if you enlighten us.

[julian071]

I work in IT and we manage about 7000 computers. We have anywhere between 3 and 10 cases of ransomware a weak. To dispell some misinformation in this thread:
- Running just any antivrus will not protect you sufficiently. I have no experience with Kapersky but at least they actually produce some good stuff remedying ransomware / cryptolockers, so their product may help (not sure though)
- There are many attack vectors. They range from files as attachments or files being linked in emails (fake bills, fake invitations to social networks, fake pictures, etc), often java-scripts packed in zip-files, but sometimes links to executables. Also, they can enter via browsing even regular websites with any web browser (seen it happen with my own eyes), because sometimes advertisements are infected with attack vectors. Could be flash, could be java. My organisation is pretty well up to date with these things....

Then some tips:
- Use an adblocker
- Don't click on stuff that you are not certain about what it is
- Use an external drive for backup, but DON"T leave it connected 100% of the time!
- Avoid shady sites

[iv4n]

You should never have important information on a windows machine. If you can't afford 2 computers (because only total isolation is safe) you can just get constant backups on your usb pendrive of any sensible data, so if some fucker encrypts your computer you just have to format it and they will get nothing out of it. Also install malwarebytes anti ramsonware software.

Most people use Windows; OSX and Linux are the minority, it would be helpful to list ways to secure Windows best as possible. I will start the discussion if you are using Windows. If you are using Windows 7 the best advice I can give you is not to update to Windows 10. Stick with Windows 7 for improved privacy.

1) Use Firefox, not Windows Explorer or Chrome. Go to Tools > Addons > Plugins and disable Shockwave Flash to prevent malware delivered by Flash banners. At the minimum use uBlock Origin extension to block all other ad banners.

2) Use a top rated security suite like Kaspersky Total Protection. Even with Kaspersky use good hygiene. Never click on links or banners in emails or heaven forbid open an attachment. Even friends can pass on a virus or trojan by forwarding a bad email. Most malware is delivered by email, not websites.

3) If you have more than a few bitcoin use a hardware wallet like Trezor.

4) Make a system restore disc and store safely in case you have to reformat your hard disk and restore from a backup. Get a 2-5 TH backup drive so you have plenty of space for multiple backups and backup weekly.

I upgraded my windows 2 months ago and after using it 10 day I reinstalled lap top completely and return it to fabric settings. And I stayed there cause to much bed things with windows 10 happened to me.

I like you other advices, I also use firefox, have nice security, anti virus and anti malware . I don't have so much coins, but bigger part is in Trezor.. and I have several online wallets that I use for gambling and everyday transactions.

If something like this happened to me, I wouldn't pay ransom and that is my advice for OP. You have your files that is important, now start again but with better security. There is nothing else what you can do except to be more careful in the future and not let same thing happen again.
Of course paying ransom will give more power to this little criminals. They will try to do It again, so don't give them that feeling. Cut them in root`s.

[jackg]

So how did the ransomware get into the machine? Someone might learn something if you enlighten us.

This was blamed on another person so he probably does not know.

I work in IT and we manage about 7000 computers. We have anywhere between 3 and 10 cases of ransomware a weak. To dispell some misinformation in this thread:
- Running just any antivrus will not protect you sufficiently. I have no experience with Kapersky but at least they actually produce some good stuff remedying ransomware / cryptolockers, so their product may help (not sure though)
- There are many attack vectors. They range from files as attachments or files being linked in emails (fake bills, fake invitations to social networks, fake pictures, etc), often java-scripts packed in zip-files, but sometimes links to executables. Also, they can enter via browsing even regular websites with any web browser (seen it happen with my own eyes), because sometimes advertisements are infected with attack vectors. Could be flash, could be java. My organisation is pretty well up to date with these things....

Then some tips:
- Use an adblocker
- Don't click on stuff that you are not certain about what it is
- Use an external drive for backup, but DON"T leave it connected 100% of the time!
- Avoid shady sites

You can never be fully protected it is true, even with antivirus there are still penetrative viruses that can get into your system.
There are some reputable antivirus products but there are still security flaws, you can also not have more than one running at a time on a computer as there are confusions between the source code of different antivirus software as hey use exploritary measures which effects the usefullness of both antivirus software if installed at the same time.