[CS-FSLUG] Miscreants encrypt files, hold them for ransom...MickySoft systems!

[Don Parris]

On 5/24/05, JD Runyan <Lists at runyanrants.net> wrote:
> Fred A. Miller wrote:
> > "In a new type of online attack, extortionists remotely encrypt user files and
> > then demand money for the key to decode the information."
> >
> > "Researchers at Symantec have seen the malicious program used in the ransom
> > attack. The "Trojan.Pgpcoder" searches a victim's hard disk drive for 15
> > common file types, including images and Microsoft Office file types. It then
> > encrypts the files, removes the originals and drops a note asking $200 for
> > the encryption key, Friedrichs said."
> >
> > http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5718678.html?tag=nl.e589
> >
> Do regular backups,  and this isn't a very good attack. I would probably
> lead the dope on, and see if he could be tracked though.
> 
> --

I was just thinking that this seems like a pretty stupid attack.  Or
at least I don't think I could be slick enough to pull it off.  Just
seems like you're all but begging to get caught.

Don
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