CristyCurves 169032 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 To anyone who surfs the porn sites watch out for a virus that portrays itself to be an official police warning. I discovered some of my pictures were on a porn site and went there to have them removed after leaving the site my computer became blocked and infected by this virus. I had to have someone remove it and it'll cost:( The warning from the virus is very official looking and can scare some as in insinuates that you've been caught using your computer for nefarious reasons, looking at illegal porn, and if a fine isn't paid-that's the give away-then you'll be charged . Just thought I'd give some heads up as it apparently is an aggressive one, and has been affecting a lot of users. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteKnight 1413 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 Cristy, sorry to hear you got infected :( The kind of virus you got is called Scareware or Ransomware http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scareware http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransomware_%28malware%29 To help other members prevent being infected, ensure that browser, flash, and OS are regularly patched. Try to avoid Java altogether (uninstall it). Do not install software coming from untrustworthy sources. But the best way is either to install a Ubuntu virtual machine in which you surf the web and if you get infected you simply delete the VM and copy a new one from a pristine copy. Another way is to use a Ubuntu (or other linux flavor) boot dvd (or USB stick). Easier to setup, but it bit less convenient to use. And if you have an (non-jail-broken) iPad, it is also a good option, since it is quite a robust platform against viruses (Android tablets or phones are not as robust however). http://ipad.about.com/od/iPad-FAQ/f/Is-There-An-iPad-Virus.htm 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CristyCurves 169032 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 Thank you WK for that. I won't install or uninstall anything. I'm just to afraid I'll mess up my now clean computer. I'm just to stupid when it comes to knowing what to do with the simplest computer tasks so it's best I just leave things be. I usually don't surf much, so hopefully it won't happen again. Sadly though I think my pictures are probably still there and now I won't risk another getting another virus to go back to that site and check:(The upside, I can now be fully open if it does happen again with my computer guy and the double thanks that my browser was posting has now been finally corrected;) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Polydeuces 1167 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 I had this happen to me last year. I started Windows in safe mode with networking and downloaded and ran MalwareBytes Anti-Malware and it got rid of the problem. Polydeuces 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest R**3*9 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 I had this problem a few years ago...after a brief moment of panic...I just had the hard drive wiped clean and started over.... My advice, back up everything...it's nasty and never pay the ransom...It will cost the same amount to have your hard drive wiped clean and your at least giving your money to an honest person... It is very convincing though...accept for the general infraction it says you've committed...police can't charge you with stuff....he he he...and they don't send you a message they show up at your door with warrants... I assume, never happened to me... really he he he :icon_biggrin: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cinelli 22184 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 Routinely back up everything on a portable hard drive. I have a little 1 Gig one that I keep in my safe at work. Protect your computer with antivirus software. I use Avast, Bitdefender, Spybot and Malwarebytes. As WhiteKnight said, disable Java, it's nothing but trouble. Re porn: never go to any picture hosting site that ends in dot R U!!! In fact, don't go to any site that ends in dot RU. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted November 30, 2013 If you are using a Windows computer, you can create a "Guest" account. Sign into that for surfing the web. You will be able to surf just like with the "Admin" account, only you won't have the admin rights to run any programs that you may inadvertently get downloaded. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luckyme 41401 Report post Posted November 30, 2013 Routinely back up everything on a portable hard drive. I have a little 1 Gig one that I keep in my safe at work. Protect your computer with antivirus software. I use Avast, Bitdefender, Spybot and Malwarebytes. As WhiteKnight said, disable Java, it's nothing but trouble. Re porn: never go to any picture hosting site that ends in dot R U!!! In fact, don't go to any site that ends in dot RU. Just curious as to which is a better way to back up - in a portable hard drive or using a site such as MyPC Back up? Both cost money, but having never experienced a crash before, just wonder which will be easier to recover the files? Sorry for the hijack. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest S*rca****sid Report post Posted November 30, 2013 Just curious as to which is a better way to back up - in a portable hard drive or using a site such as MyPC Back up? Both cost money, but having never experienced a crash before, just wonder which will be easier to recover the files? Sorry for the hijack. I've only heard bad things about MyPC Backup. There are many other sites that are reputable for back up. Try one of these: Carbonite, Backblaze, Crashplan, SpiderOak, or Bitcasa. With using a site, they are subscription based and plans vary. If you don't want to pay for a subscription or don't want to upload your backup to the Cloud, I would suggest going out and buying two external hard drives. One as your main back up and the other for a back up to the back up. Make sure the capacity of the drives are larger than the hard drive of your computer. Both Mac and Windows have a great built-in back up feature that is very easy to use and follow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miss S. Lane 67128 Report post Posted December 1, 2013 Gah! As someone with a background in IT and who currently owns her own computer shop, please don't go freaking out. This has been around for years and is, in fact, scareware. It plays on the immediate human response to try and get money. IF people read it, they will realize that if you indeed have committed said nefarious acts, the RCMP isn't going to let you off with paying $200 or $300 via Ukash. They are going to come and drag you, kicking and screaming, to jail. Read EVERYTHING!!!! Secondly, virus protection programs are bullshit. None of them are going to protect you 100%. Not one. No matter how much you pay or don't pay, you will not be protected 100%. Virus makers get around these programs. In addition, when you install something it is going to tell you you have some insane number of viruses -- otherwise, are you going to give them money to get rid of them? In addition, it is NOT very often you actually have a "virus". 95% of the time it's junkware or adware. The number one way to avoid this? Educate yourself on what to watch for, what to avoid, what are safe sites etc. Of course, there is always the possibility of being at the wrong place at the wrong time (which is usually the case with the RCMP Virus). But I haven't had virus protection for 20 years and I have had a virus ONCE in that time. Another point to consider... Most popular virus programs (Avast, AVG, Norton, McAfee, Kapersky) take about 20% of your computers resources. Most of the computers I see in my shop cannot handle a 20% performance reduction. Yes - I'm saying that virus protection programs can do more harm than good! IF you insist on having one, and it's a good idea while you learn what to avoid -- Microsoft Security Essentials is great. It doesn't use as many resources, it's FREE, it doesn't expire. It does JUST as good a job as any of the paid ones - so why pay. By the way - PM me if you'd like porn site suggestions where I have NEVER gotten a virus!!!! :) If anyone ever has computer questions, don't hesitate to PM me, ok? Your sexy geek SP... ;) 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest f***nds4f** Report post Posted December 1, 2013 (edited) This is the actual samples of this kind of virus. Some even show you web cam. Do not pay to the criminals. Just go to computer store and they can help if you don't know how to remove it. I covered the ip address and web cam. http://www.kingbarry.ca/BlogVirusRCMP.html Edited December 1, 2013 by f***nds4f** can not upload pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yogibear 402 Report post Posted December 1, 2013 I Too have seen, and cleaned up, the uKash virus, got 3 clients infected in one week a few months ago. One suggestion is to NOT use Internet Explorer, use firefox or chrome. As for backups.... Web backups may be convenient, but slow, especially uploading a large amount of data, residential internet has different upstream speed vs downstream, not to mention bandwidth caps. And even restoring gigs of data after a problem can take long time. I myself have a NAS drive connect to router with automatic backup of select folders, Plus another external drive that I connect for monthly second backup, then store in fireproof safe. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
