A fairly new CryptoLocker malware has been spreading via Yahoo Messenger, and if you’re infected it may cost you a fortune to retrieve your own data.

Look Before You Jump, Steer Clear of YOURS.JPG.exe

The CryptoLocker ransomware has been wreaking havoc among many users, disguising itself as a file named ‘YOURS.JPG.exe’, the malware will encrypt important system files, and basically locking out rightful owners from their computers and documents.

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To regain access, the ransomware—as the name suggests—will demand ransom money from its victims.  In this particular case, the CryptoLocker ransomware demands $400 for a key which will supposedly unlock the encrypted files.  Once the ransom process is initiated, the malware will set off a timer that will destroy the key within a given amount of time if the exploiters don’t receive their fund.

Main Target: Yahoo Messenger Users

If you’re using Yahoo Messenger at home and especially at work, please take the necessary precautions to prevent this form of exploitation from happening to you. Recently CrytpoLocker has been targeting Yahoo Messenger users in the form of image attachments. First, we suggest you install the latest version of CryptoPrevent to keep CryptoLocker from infecting your computers.  It is also highly advisable that you keep your antivirus/antimalware software up-to-date, as this will also shield your computers from various online attacks.

For more tips and tricks on what you can do to prevent these types of intrusions and attacks, please don’t hesitate to contact our IT professionals.

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Outside of Japan, the VAIO brand is no more.

Sony is ditching the PC business in an effort to restructure amidst a declining PC market.  The Japanese tech-giant has been struggling in recent years to keep up with the evolving consumer tech segment, and this latest move away from the PC is just a small step forward for the company.

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Pulling an account password can be hard or easy, it’s up to you.

The bottom line for when it comes to personal security on the internet is you must take care of it yourself.  Many .com companies will make lofty promises of keeping your private data secured, but when things go bust they don’t take responsibility when your account is compromized.

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System commands saved by Bing, will show up as ‘search suggestions’.

Windows 8 users need to be aware that Bing will record system commands inputted locally.  This is a big problem for businesses (and even individuals) if the commands are unique and track-able, as the commands are publicly displayed for anyone using the Bing via the ‘search suggestions.’

Pros and Cons

Companies like Google and Microsoft will, one way or another, find ways to track your user data, and it’s crucial that people are aware of what is being extracted from a computer console every time the power switch is flipped on.

By integrating Bing into the OS itself, the results may be beneficial as well as detrimental.  When users search for something on a computer, those same keywords are recorded so that Bing can help other users find things on the internet quicker.  For sensitive and private data (in this case system commands pointing to your network), the threat of hackers obtaining such information can become a major problem.

How to Disable

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How to disable it

To prevent Bing from recording your system command inputs, go to your Search options in Windows 8 by pressing Windows + C, clicking on “Settings”, then “Change PC Settings”, “Search and Apps” and sliding the ‘Use Bing to search online’ to ‘Off.’

For more tips on how you can keep your information safe while using a connected device, contact your office IT professionals.

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