Beware Ransomware Attack if upgrading to Win 10

[ausgumbie]

Hi all

 

This has been pointed up in other places but it probably doesn't hurt in the retelling for any upgrading to Windows 10. 

 

I received this from staysmartonline (Aust. Govt.) to which I subscribe:

"Fake Windows 10 update leading to ransomware attack: Alert Priority High

 

Ransomware disguised as an installer of the new Microsoft Windows 10 operating system is encrypting Australian user and business computers.

 

The ransomware resides in an email that claims to be from Microsoft which offers a free upgrade to Windows 10. The email contains a zip file attachment, which contains a program labelled as the Windows 10 installer. 

 

However, if you run this program, it will encrypt any important files, including Word documents and photos on your computer.

 

If you receive an email offering a free upgrade to Windows 10, we advise that you delete the email and do not open it or any attachments.

 

Windows users interested in upgrading their computer can register via Microsoft’s official website. Windows 10 updates will then be facilitated by a program on your computer, not via an email offer."

 

And so on.

 

The word is certainly out there although some (like me) twig to it a bit slower than others. This post is for them. See, e.g.: https://www.google.com.au/?gws_rd=ssl#q=windows+10+ransomware+alert

 

Cheers

 

ausgumbie

[Firefox]

Thanks for sharing...

[David H. Lipman]

The fact is one should be wary of ANY form of topic event where malicious actors will warp the event and spin it in their favour by using Social Engineering to get you to do something you may not otherwise do.

 

What I am saying here is one should not limit this to a Win10 Update situation.  Given any topical event in any country, territory, region or nation one must not let down their guard and use Critical Thought before taking some form of action.

[Maurice Naggar]

Just as David pointed out, be wary of phishing emails.   Dont ever be quick to click links in emails or open attachments "out of curiousity".   Look at email carefully. Most especially be wary of any that have "attachments".  And if you never asked for the email nor ever expected an attachment, simply delete the email.   Never open the attachments.

The bad guys count on your opening the attachment to start the ransomware infection.