Thought i would post this here but maybe the "news" section would benefit , if this is old news my apologies but it's scary.
Beware! That Windows 10 update message could be ransomware in disguise
A new virus is on the loose and it’s targeting users waiting for their Windows 10 update. A variant of CTB (Curve-Tor-Bitcoin) Locker is currently being downloaded on to Windows 7 and 8 users at alarming rates. If you are waiting for your Windows 10 upgrade, please read the details below and proceed with caution when downloading anythingfrom an email attachment.
It starts with an email
This new threat actor has a clever way of making its way onto your system. Since many people are eagerly awaiting their Windows 10 update, scammers developed a convincing email campaign to lure people into downloading their ransomware.A screen shot of the offending email. Cisco Blogs
As you can see, the email has the appropriate color scheme as well as a believable email address: update@microsoft.com. The scammers have even gone so far as to include a little note at the end that may give the recipient a false sense of security:Don’t be fooled! This email is NOT safe. Cisco Blogs
And then they demand you pay up
Once an unsuspecting victim downloads the false update to their computer and runs it, they’ll see this message:The CTB-Locker message. Emsisoft
The victim will find that their files have been encrypted and will not open properly, and like most ransomware variants, the decryption key will not reside on the infected system. The user allegedly has 96 hours before the decryption code is destroyed and the only way to get a hold of it before then is to pay an outrageous $200 USD.
Early detection is key
As eager as you may be for the latest Windows 10 update, please be aware that so many cyber criminals are waiting to take advantage of you! Be wary of emails with typos, strange characters, and in the case of the phishing email above, an IP address from an unexpected part of the world (in this case, Thailand).
Thanks for your Post!
Thanks for your Post!
Your welcome but i think i should of held off , seems like it's old news and i should of posted in the Win 7 blog forum , thats probably where it would be relevant, if at all .
If "brink" doesn't think it's relevant here i hope he deletes it , i should have researched further .
Actually I don't read the Win 7 forum. I am happy you posted it here. I have passed this info on to friends and family that still use Win 7.
This is indeed pretty old news, but it is always good to post it for those who aren't aware of this
