Last October, we wrote a blog post about a new piece of ransomeware called Cryptolocker. At the time, it was a relatively new virus, and was not yet affecting as many people as it is now. As of March, Geek.com reports that Cryptolocker’s “masterminds have raked in somewhere in the neighborhood of $30 million, and that’s because around 40% of victims are paying the ransom.”
A few days ago, the Today Show ran a report on Cryptolocker as well. According to the Today Show report, “You can back up your computer and use anti-virus software, but the best defense, experts say, is caution with unknown attachments and emails.”
How Backblaze Can Help
Since Backblaze is an unlimited and continuously running online backup solution that is not locally connected to your machine, all of the data files on your computer and external hard drives get backed up and are available for restore.
That means that if you get hit with the Cryptolocker malware and your computer locks up, you can simply order a Backblaze restore with all of your data on it, reinstall your operating system and any programs that you had installed (including Backblaze), and then you’re back up and running! That means you won’t need to pay Cryptolocker hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and you’ll have all of your photos, videos, music, work documents, and anything else you’ve created safely back on your computer.
Backblaze has already saved multiple customers from losing their data to Cryptolocker:
Dads computer got virused with “CryptoLocker” a ransom virus that encrypts files and makes you pay for key. @backblaze saved him #backup
— John (@Drake4444444) February 5, 2014
We’d like to remind all of our users and blog readers to stay vigilant and use best practices when using the internet and email clients. Hopefully you’ll never be hit with Cryptolocker, but we’ll be here for you if you do.
Note: for the latest news on ransomware threats make sure to read https://www.backblaze.com/blog/locker-cryptolocker-progeny-awakens/.
