CryptoLocker and Encryption Virus Protection
What are Encryption Viruses?
Encryption viruses are a form of malware. These viruses can initially present themselves within emails as an attachment or download.
Users attempting to open the attachment will receive an error message demanding payment (or ransom) for the ‘release’ of their files. Generally, when the virus attacks your system, it’s not just the immediate ransom that will trouble users. Just like the real Trojan Horse, it can lay dormant in your system and attack on an unseen schedule.
These attacks can infect your machine as a whole, wreaking havoc on all of your data. In some instances, users will not incur the initial ransom request, but will unknowingly release the virus to cause issues later.
CryptoLocker Viruses – How They Work
A CryptoLocker virus is a well-known encryption virus that targets MS Windows users. This ransomware trojan comes as an infected attachment to an email and applies encryption to specific documents and folders. Once it does, your documents are there, but you cannot open them.
At that point the source of the virus wants you to pay a fee or ‘ransom’ for the encryption key. Though CryptoLocker (and others like it) can themselves be removed, the affected files remain inaccessible. In some instances even paying the ‘ransom’ does not garner access to the files.
CryptoLocker Ransom Message
Protection from Encryption Viruses and Cryptolocker
Cloud Backup and Viruses
With a Cloud-based back up option, the documents are synchronized, allowing the encryption virus to be stored in the cloud backup. When restoring the data from the cloud, the virus is reapplied, causing the same issues to happen again and again. Creating a proper restore point is tough since you don’t know when the virus was attached to the files. Depending upon the cloud service, you may be able to get a point in time restoration. The restoration may be included in your subscription.
Tape Drive Backup and Encryption Viruses
Backing up your files on a tape drive is an easy and cost-effective way to ensure you have virus-free copies of your data that are securely stored. There’s no way the infection from a CryptoLocker and encryption viruses can migrate onto the tape, so backed up files can then be safely restored and ready for use. Although not the most modern technology, in this case it’s the most reliable.
For businesses this means considering your options to best protect your company against ransom and other forms of malware. Once malware has infected one machine on your network, other machines and your site can fall victim to the virus. Cosmotronics can custom build a solution that works for your business and customers alike, keeping you running smoothly and safely.
Cloud backup and or synchronization coordinated with onsite backup procedures are available to give your company fast recovery and assured protection even if you get infected.
