CryptoLocker virus...

Yay, I've managed to get this virus on my laptop after only having it 3 weeks!  Luckily I didn't have anything special on there as I'm not paying the ransom to get the decryption key.  What a nasty sunofabitch.  I highly suggest having a proper working AV program before this thing hits you as there is nothing you can do short of paying the money to get your files back if you don't have a backup.  Just figured I'd share, lol.  Will be re-installing Windows tonight. Lesson learned. Yippeeee.

Sucks that you managed to get the virus.  I've known about this virus for a little while now.  A pretty nasty virus, and even moreso if you've got important files on your computer.  At least you didn't have any thing important though.  Whenever I do a fresh install of Windows, my anti-virus is usually the very first thing that I get up and running.  I'm usually well-concerned about security on my computer.  I never have anything important stored on it though, so even if I were to get a virus that would steal my files, the effect on me would be minimal.  Just a fresh install of windows once more and I'd be good to go.

Crazy thing is I have absolutely no clue how I got it.  I make sure to not click on emails if I don't know the person they are from, don't click on suspicious links, etc...but I guess it's so easy these days to make a mistake and not even know it that it's totally worth having a good AV program.

One thing that I'm worried about is that they don't send a Windows install disc with the laptop I got as the recovery stuff is in a different partition.  I can only hope that the particular files needed for recovery aren't affected and that the factory reset goes smoothly.  If my laptop ends up being a brick I'm going to be PISSED!

What av program are you using?

S7 KnightOwl wrote:What av program are you using?

I don't have one.  That will be changing soon.   

I recomend avg free. I have used it for years and also have it on my cell phone.

I've thought about using that but assumed that since it's free that it's not that great when it comes to detecting everything the pay ones do.

I've used Webroot.  You have to pay for that one, and it hasn't dissapointed me.

In most cases the best anti-virus software is free. I would recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. It runs in tandem with the windows updates so its usually a solid choice. I would also say a fresh install of windows would kill the virus. If that doesn't work just format the drive but if I'm not mistaken that is what a fresh install of windows does.

Microsoft Security Essentials is a great option.

Finishing up re-installing Windows on the laptop.  

Regarding MSE...on Windows 8 there is no MSE,  they just use Windows Defender which I did have updated and running.  CryptoLocker completely bypassed it along with the Malwarebytes program I had running.  Neither of them are good enough apparently to catch this virus.

After doing some reading/research I think Im going to try out the free version of BitDefender and possibly get a paid version when I get my tax refund next month.  As you would expect I'm a bit paranoid at this point.

Windows 8 should come with MSE already installed.

In Windows 8, Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender runs in the background and notifies you when you need to take specific action. However, you can use it anytime to scan for malware if your computer isn’t working properly or you clicked a suspicious link online or in an email message.

Taken from MS's Safety & Security Center

Bitdefender for free after rebate at frys also avs is free also at frys
http://www.frys.com/product/7791088

S7 DROOPY wrote:Bitdefender for free after rebate at frys also avs is free also at frys
http://www.frys.com/product/7791088

Wow, I might have to get in on that.  Thanks for the heads up!

Any new virus is going to bypass every Antivirus out there. If the source code is changing it just depends on when the definition updates come out for each AV.

AtrumX wrote:Any new virus is going to bypass every Antivirus out there. If the source code is changing it just depends on when the definition updates come out for each AV.

Very true, but there are AV's that are better at catching Zero-day viruses than others.  Nothing is 100%.

I've removed virus's from PCs running literally every AV out there. Some definitely get their updates out there more quickly, but the difference between a decent free program (such as MSE) and a $40/month paid subscription is pretty negligible.

In the end I ended up getting Bitdefender Anti-virus Plus for $6.99 for a 3 PC / 2 year license (normally $89.95 on their site) due to checking out slickdeals.net and getting a promo code.  Like has been said nothing is 100% secure, but it will help tremendously.

Was going to go with the deal that Droopy posted, but I'm not a real big fan of rebate cards and the time it takes to get them.  Figured I'd spend the $6.99 and got to download instantly.