atomicBIT would like to make our clients aware of a particular virus that has been making the rounds recently named Cryptolocker.

What is it?
CryptoLocker is a ransomware program that encrypts files on your computer including any connected USB disks & network server shares causing them to become unusable. When it has finished encrypting your files it will display the Cryptolocker payment program information requesting payment to unencrypt your files.

Any data sources connected to your computer including USB disks, network server shares & cloud shares such as Dropbox, SugarSync, Box & Onedrive can be encrypted by an infected computer.

How can you recover after infection?
Recovery is by data restoration from your latest available uninfected backup or the payment of the ransom to an unknown entity which is NOT RECOMMENDED.

How should you prevent Cryptolocker infection?
Although antivirus software is your best protection, user education and knowledge plays a critical part in keeping your computers & data safe.
Cryptolocker like many viruses is distributed via email attachment as a .ZIP file and caution needs to be taken when opening suspicious emails.

Here are some emails with known infections to look out for:
ATO – Australian Tax Office
OSR – Office of State Revenue
Banks – All major Australian Banks
FBI/CIA
IT Administrator

Any email that contains a .ZIP attachment from one of these senders is suspicious – as none of these senders will generally ever send you a .ZIP (compressed file).

Prevention Checklist:

1.  Keep antivirus software subscriptions active
2.  Backup all your data regularly
3.  Keep multiple rotating backup sets onsite & offsite
4.  Subscribe to cloud based backups which are automated and offsite
5.  Ensure that you report any unknown activity or random slowness of your machine to your IT administrator as soon as possible.

If you are ever unsure if an email attachment is fake, delete it or you are welcome to send it to us for inspection at info@atomicbit.com.au.

Talk to atomicBIT about keeping your data safe today.  Call us on 02 8033 5733 or email info@atomicbit.com.au