The latest tech scam to hit the United States – Ransomware
Human ingenuity will never cease to amaze me. The latest scam, which had only been prevalent in Europe until recently, is for hackers to lock down your computer and demand money to unlock it. And of course, the unsuspecting and gullible among us have been falling for it.
Now the criminals aren’t just randomly taking over computers. As the article states, the user has to do something for the virus to install. Either they would have to visit a compromised site (usually but not limited to a porn site). Or click a malicious link (usually in but not limited to an email). In any case, the user has to initiate the contact with the virus. So the moral of the story is to be aware and cautious of where you are visiting on the Web and what you are clicking on.
Now that the security experts are aware of it, drive by infections can be prevented by your anti-virus program. But, be careful of what you click on. Antivirus programs are less effective on a deliberate, although unknowing, installation of the virus.
