Beware! Vault Crypt is one of the latest “ransomware” viruses and is working its way over here from the former Soviet states. Initially surfacing around the end of February, it’s already started arriving in English-speaking countries.
Ransomware is a type of malware that restricts access to the computer it infects and demands a fee is paid before the restriction is removed.
This latest form of ransomware begins encrypting files on your PC and your entire network, adding “.vault” to the end of every filename.
It also edits the system’s registry, creating a new .vault file type and changing the files icon to a lock icon. For the more technical of our readers who might think VSS will save you, think again – Vault Crypt disables and wipes any shadow copies Windows has made!
Once a user clicks on one of the infected or encrypted files, instead of opening them, it will bring up a warning message informing them the files are encrypted.
They’re told they must visit the site shown to get their files decrypted. They are then issued with a demand for a large sum of money to be paid via untraceable methods in order to receive the decryption key.
Ransomware is becoming a very common problem – and with an average of two new variants being detected by antivirus vendors every month, it seems to be here to stay.
So it’s vital to be vigilant if you want to lower the risk of the virus catching you out.
That means you must back up all important and critical data necessary for your business to run on a daily basis. If this is something you haven’t yet set up within your business, no matter how big or small it is, we can help!
Just try to imagine the cold sweat that will break out if, on opening your company’s important documents, you are presented with a padlock icon, a ransom message and have absolutely no chance of recovering any of your files without paying thousands – or sometimes millions – of pounds.
It’s a very real risk if you don’t have your backups configured correctly.
What can you do to stop this happening?
• These viruses tend to come in via email, so an email filtering system will dramatically reduce the risk of viruses of any kind getting to your computer.
• Don’t open emails claiming to be invoices from companies you don’t deal with.
• Don’t open emails claiming to be from banks you don’t bank with and be cautious of emails claiming to be from your own bank.
• SPF can reduce spam emails, which can contain viruses.
• Please, please, please back up your files, on all PCs, servers and network storage devices. There is no other way to get your files back once encrypted without paying the ransom.
• Contact Giraffe Connected Solutions to discuss your organisation’s protection options, or ask us to undertake a complete IT audit.
