Copyright Anglicare Retirement Villages Computer Club Inc,

February 2021

Ransomware

Cryptolocker Ransomware is the most serious infection we have had here at the Anglicare villages. In the last few years, 4 residents have had all their records locked against access and irretrievable.

It can appear in various forms. Some examples are:-

The Australian Post Office . It arrives as an email advising that a package is waiting at the post office for you inviting you to click on a link to download a pickup form for you to collect the parcel.

AGL Another recent version appears to come from the AGL, claiming to be your monthly account.

Banks  It can also come in the form of bank accounts and other common sources.

If you click on the link, it will load a nasty program which searches all your personal files, photos, documents, music etc an then encrypts them with an unbreakable code.

You then receive an email demanding you pay an amount, usually around $500, to obtain a key to un encrypt your data.  Even if you pay there is no way of knowing if they will send the key, or that it will work.

While we were are able to disable and  remove the Cryptolocker ransomware, we cannot recover the data.  

This is a lesson for us all. No matter how genuine an email appears do not click on a link without first double checking on the validity via a direct website.  

Also do not leave a back up drive connected.
If you do it will also be corrupted.
Any virus can affect it, while connected.

Telstra Scam

Clever copy of Telstra logo, text and page. Never click on those links.

More Scams

Here are some real life Scam stories from Scamwatch

Dating site, Investment, False Billing,Travel prize, and many more:-        Click HERE

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Scamwatch

Check scams,

Report scams

Click HERE

Latest Covid-19 scams

Be aware that there are now scams claiming to offer advice or information about the Covid-19 virus . Messages that pretend to be government and other trusted organisations are known as phishing scams. They often contain a link to a fake website, where you are encouraged to enter confidential details.

To protect yourself from phishing:

Remember, Australian Government agencies will never send you text messages containing web-links.

• Before you click a link, hover over that link to see the actual web address it will take you to (usually shown at the bottom of the browser window).
• If you do not recognise or trust the address, try searching for relevant key terms in a web browser. This way you can find the article, video or webpage without directly clicking on the suspicious link.
• If you're not sure, talk through the suspicious message with a friend or family member, or check its legitimacy by contacting the relevant business or organisation (using contact details sourced from the official company website).
• If you’ve received one of these messages and you’ve clicked on the link, or you’re concerned your personal details have been compromised, contact your financial institution immediately.

 If you’ve suffered financial loss from cybercrime, report it to ReportCyber at www.cyber.gov.au/report.

 

BE AWARE - Some current Scams

Australian Tax Office

Post Office

Police threat - phone call
(suggesting you will be prosecuted)

Just hang up