New virus encrypts your data and demands $300 ransom

Bob Russell · 03-14-2006, 05:22 PM

E-Week is reporting that there is a Cryzip Trojan that infects your computer, encrypts your files, and demands a $300 payment via E-Gold online currency.

If infected, you get a nasty message containing this text, "If you really care about documents and information in encrypted files you can pay using electonic currency $300. Reporting to police about a case will not help you, they do not know password. Reporting somewhere about our E-Gold account will not help you to restore files. This is your only way to get yours files back." They apparently avoid capture by rotating the funds across various accounts.

Fortunately, it's not likely to be a mass problem. The LURHQ Threat Intelligence Group has said, "Infection reports are not widespread, so it is not believed this is a mass threat by any means." And that "[M]ore attention means the likely closing of the accounts used for the anonymous money transfer."

Via Digg.

rmeister0 · 03-14-2006, 05:44 PM

Even in the unlikely event this is true:

1. Delete encrypted files.
2. Sanitize the computer.
3. Restore un-encrypted files from recent backup.
4. Figure out who the heck to report this too, which is really the problem. Most police departments aren't equipped to handle computer crimes, the FBI doesn't want to talk to you about such piddling little dollar amounts, and who else is there?

...and, of course, be wary of social engineering tricks to not get infected in the first place.

03-14-2006, 05:22 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	New virus encrypts your data and demands $300 ransom E-Week is reporting that there is a Cryzip Trojan that infects your computer, encrypts your files, and demands a $300 payment via E-Gold online currency. If infected, you get a nasty message containing this text, "If you really care about documents and information in encrypted files you can pay using electonic currency $300. Reporting to police about a case will not help you, they do not know password. Reporting somewhere about our E-Gold account will not help you to restore files. This is your only way to get yours files back." They apparently avoid capture by rotating the funds across various accounts. Fortunately, it's not likely to be a mass problem. The LURHQ Threat Intelligence Group has said, "Infection reports are not widespread, so it is not believed this is a mass threat by any means." And that "[M]ore attention means the likely closing of the accounts used for the anonymous money transfer." Via Digg.

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03-14-2006, 05:44 PM	#2
rmeister0 Addict Posts: 270 Karma: 298 Join Date: Mar 2005	Even in the unlikely event this is true: 1. Delete encrypted files. 2. Sanitize the computer. 3. Restore un-encrypted files from recent backup. 4. Figure out who the heck to report this too, which is really the problem. Most police departments aren't equipped to handle computer crimes, the FBI doesn't want to talk to you about such piddling little dollar amounts, and who else is there? ...and, of course, be wary of social engineering tricks to not get infected in the first place.

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