Look out for new global computer ransomware attack

Screenshot of an infected machine

If you are receiving attachments or links via email from unknown senders, do not open them as authorities worldwide are reporting new global cyber attacks against computer systems.

Known as ransomware, the virus, Petya Goldeneye, encrypts and locks away your computer hard drive making it unusable and demands an untraceable ransom be paid in the digital Bitcoin currency.

The BBC said Ukrainian firms, including the state power company and Kiev’s main airport, were among the first to report issues.

It also said the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has also had to monitor radiation levels manually after its Windows-based sensors were shut down.

The source of the virus is not yet known but Reuters has reported that it has crippled thousands of computers, disrupting operations at ports from Mumbai to Los Angeles and halting production at a chocolate factory in Australia.

Reuters reported that the virus took hold in Ukraine, silently infecting computers after users downloaded a popular tax accounting package or visited a local news site.

Experts say the best thing to prevent infection is not to open attachments or links sent to you by unknown senders or known senders you don’t expect to receive email attachments from.

The experts say the ransomware infects computers and then waits for about an hour before rebooting the machine. While the machine is rebooting, you can switch the computer off to prevent the files from being encrypted and try and to rescue the files from the machine.

They say if the machine boots with the ransom note, don’t pay it. Simply disconnect your PC from the internet, reformat the hard drive and reinstall your files from a backup.

Additionally, you should back up your files regularly and keep your anti-virus software up to date.

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7 Comments

  1. Iamanidiot
    June 29, 2017

    Also Never click links that tell you you win money or a green card.

  2. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    June 28, 2017

    This has been in the News warning everyone.
    Early yesterday morning I accessed a favorite News website. While scanning the news I noticed a picture appeared on the right hand side near the advertisements. I looked at it and noted it read “Ransom”. I had heard about this latest one on the News broadcast of this same favorite Station. The picture was dark and the face on the picture looked like Satan. There was a writing at the end of it enticing readers to access it. I ignored it. After a minute or so it disappeared.
    This same Station kept saying that “It is not yet in Canada.” When I saw it I said, “Yeah!” Later I telephoned that Newsroom and spoke to a staff and described what I saw. I told him your Station keeps saying it is not yet in Canada. Well, it is traveling.” I also said, “This thing looks ugly. I would never click on it. If I had, my computer and your Website would crash.” I further stated to warn readers, if they see it, do not click on it.

  3. Dante Jones
    June 28, 2017

    Another reminder that we have the NSA and other american intelligence agencies to thank for making us less secure by not just concealing vulnerabilities but stockpiling them to weaponize them against its own citizens and the rest of the world and ultimately being careless enough to have them leaked. If you don’t know what I’m talking about google Vault 7.

  4. Dominican
    June 28, 2017

    spreading fake news and typing amen they will use soon

  5. Chester
    June 28, 2017

    When will ppl learn “DO NOT OPEN ATTACHMENTS nor LINKS YOU DID NOT SOLICIT” …..WHEN?

    • Dominican Passports
      June 28, 2017

      I never click links period :lol:

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      June 28, 2017

      Also email addresses you do not recognize; some may have no subject. If I receive any I simply delete them.

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