Ransomware

 

This seems to be the latest hideous scam. Perhaps those who targeted Barclays have found themselves a whole new set of victims.

Their methods are described in this piece on the BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/5034384.stm

This type of scam shows how you must keep your virus and spyware protection up to date. It also shows the value of keeping good backups, as the lady in the story obviously didn't take this basic precaution.

If you want to try it my backup program is Daisy AutoBackup/FTP.

http://www.daisy.co.uk/AutoBackup/

The link goes to the program's web site.

One of the good points about ransomware, is that as it such a vile threat, it will probably affect someone of influence and power. They might persuade technophobic Tony to have a word with Bush and Putin about spammers and other on-line criminals.