[Ammi]

Internet fraudsters are targetting tens of millions of British customers with a virus which locks computers until the victim pays a £500 ransom to be released, the National Crime Agency warned today.


The spammers are particularly aiming the virus - known as ransomware - at small and medium size businesses. It is disguised as an email alert about suspicious payments or invoices.


Once opened the virus 'freezes' the computer and the local network and demands two Bitcoins of internet currency - approximately £536 - to unlock the machine


The NCA described the 'mass spamming' event as a 'significant risk'.


A NCA spokesman said: "The emails may be sent out to tens of millions of UK customers, but they appear to be targeting small and medium businesses in particular

"The emails carry an attachment that appears to be correspondence linked to the email message, for example, a voicemail, fax, details of a suspicious transaction or invoices for payment.

"This file is in fact a malware that can install Cryptolocker - which is a piece of ransomware. Cryptolocker works by encrypting the user's files on the infected machine and the local network it is attached to.

"Once encrypted, the computer will display a splash screen with a count down timer and a demand for the payment of 2 Bitcoins in ransom for the decryption key."

The spokesman added: "The NCA would never endorse the payment of a ransom to criminals and there is no guarantee that they would honour the payments in any event."

Lee Miles, Deputy Head of the National Cyber Crime Unit said: "The NCA are actively pursuing organised crime groups committing this type of crime . We are working in cooperation with industry and international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible and reduce the risk to the public."

An NCCU investigation is ongoing to identify the source of the email addresses used. Anyone who is infected with this malware should report it via www.actionfraud.police.uk . Sound advice can be found at www.getsafeonline.org.uk.

Anyone who receives a suspicious looking email should not open it or click on any attachments and anti-virus software should always be upgraded

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolog...som-virus.html

[arista]

"This file is in fact a malware that can install Cryptolocker - which is a piece of ransomware. Cryptolocker works by encrypting the user's files on the infected machine and the local network it is attached to"


Yes never open that Email