New ransomware CryptoDefense

[DeeSome]

This new ransomware is not good news for Bitcoin as it specifically asks for payment in Btc via Tor browser which could obviously give people the impression that Bitcoin is linked to criminals.

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/earthlink_writeup.jsp?docid=2014-032622-1552-99

[CoolIT]

Sadly it's nothing new.

I have seen cryptolocker 3-5 months ago...

As an I.T. consultant, I have had at least 7 clients get hit within the last 5 months...

I spend many hours of research to unlock or decrypt files... in most cases, it was a backup recovery. In others, a loss of not so critical data.

[lnternet]

Bitcoin is linked to criminals. As are cell phones.

[Bitcoin Magazine]

i'll just hand my computer over to the cops at that point.  they can decrypt everything, including child porn 

[Beliathon]

Bitcoin is linked to criminals. As are cell phones.

And email. Who hasn't heard of the Nigerian scams?

[blacksails]

i'll just hand my computer over to the cops at that point.  they can decrypt everything, including child porn 

Depends on how hard you encrypt it.

[Klestin]

i'll just hand my computer over to the cops at that point.  they can decrypt everything, including child porn 

Don't kid yourself - they cannot. Without the key, the files will not be decrypted. You have two choices - pay up and hope they give you the key, or wipe the drive and restore from backup/start over.

In either case, please for the love of all that is holy:

- Use a current, up to date router to access the Internet.
- Keep your PC up to date with security updates
- Don't run anything from an email. Ever.
- Don't download from disreputable sites.
- If someone from "Dell", "Windows", etc calls you and offers to help you with the security of your PC, hang up.

That's it folks. If my 74-year-old mother can learn from her mistakes and successfully run a clean PC for the last several years, anyone can do it.  If not, switch to an iPad.

[Bitcoin Magazine]

just AES256 encrypt everything you send

[skooter]

Bitcoin is linked to criminals. As are burner phones.

FYP.

bitcoin is the burner phone of the currency world. No reason to use it unless you're doing something illegal.

Oh, and shit like the OP is why I run my web browsers sandboxed or in a VM.

[spazzdla]

I back my stuff up pretty often.. I insert OS cd and format.

[go4nature]

How to avoid these kind of attacks? I normally don't backup my files.

[spazzdla]

How to avoid these kind of attacks? I normally don't backup my files.

...Back up your files man... It is a must.  If you are dealing with BTC and you don't have your wallet backed up on several USB's or have your private keys stored in a saftey box.. you shouldn't be in BTC.

[skooter]

How to avoid these kind of attacks? I normally don't backup my files.

Sandboxie
VMWare Workstation

I have pirate copies of both.

[blacksails]

How to avoid these kind of attacks? I normally don't backup my files.

Sandboxie
VMWare Workstation

I have pirate copies of both.

Or you could use VirtualBox for free fully legal.
Another way would be to switch to linux.

[skooter]

How to avoid these kind of attacks? I normally don't backup my files.

Sandboxie
VMWare Workstation

I have pirate copies of both.

Or you could use VirtualBox for free fully legal.
Another way would be to switch to linux.

Yeah, linux is a pain in the ass to use.

And VMWare Workstation is a much better app then Virtualbox. It's easier to use and it's much more polished. You can also download VMWare Workstation from VMWare, all you need is a valid serial # (I have a keygen, I can give you one if you need it).

As far as hypervisor quality/security,  I don't know if either is better or worse then the other.

Also, Virtualbox only offers a hosted hypervisor, if you want a bare metal hypervisor you're going to have to go w/ a VMWare product.

[escrow.ms]

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Romanian-Man-Commits-Suicide-After-Police-Ransomware-Tells-Him-He-Must-Pay-Fine-431882.shtml

Ransomware's are bad, too bad BTC will provide more anonymity to them.

[howzar]

Nice to know they clearly describe each site from which you can purchase bitcoins from!

[blacksails]

Nice to know they clearly describe each site from which you can purchase bitcoins from!

All attention is good attention, right?

[thethingis]

40-some people have paid that address a total of almost 47 BTC.
https://blockchain.info/address/1EmLLj8peW292zR2VvumYPPa9wLcK4CPK1

Damn.

[dserrano5]

I normally don't backup my files.

Eventually you'll have to learn to do that.