Every file you have saved on your computer could be at risk from the attack of a new e-mail virus, expertly designed to seem like an average e-mail you may find in your inbox. In seconds, all of your files, photos, and downloads or even the entirety of your business’s information and saved data can be destroyed. VirRansom is a new version of the traditional malware, Ransomware, though it’s much more dangerous in how it can quietly spread through your files and be unwittingly shared with others.

What is VirRansom?

Ransomware is spread like customary malware, as most users get it by opening a seemingly urgent e-mail. Once opened, the ransomware releases an encrypted script that locks files, photos, documents and spreadsheets using a method that cannot be broken. A screen then appears demanding that money be sent to an overseas account in order to unlock the affected files.

VirRansom is even more dangerous due to the fact that it may be in your computer without you even knowing it – spreading itself secretly though files and moving to other computers through file-sharing. The virus continues to replicate and spread until it’s activated. Before you know it’s there, the damage will be done. When VirRansom actives, it locks the affected files and displays the ransom image. This, of course, poses a great threat to both home users and especially businesses with sensitive information and files.

How to Keep Your Computer and Business Protected:

Most important and useful in protecting yourself and your network from this bug is to keep an eye out for phony e-mails. There are a number of red flags you can look for and stay away from.

Common subject lines of infected e-mails you may receive include:

• Payroll Received by Intuit
• ADP RUN: Payroll Processed Alert
• DNB Complaint
• Annual Form – Authorization To Use Privately Owned Vehicle on State Business
• Payroll Manager Payroll Invoice ADP RUN

Also keep an eye out for anything that may not pertain to you or doesn’t make much sense, such as seemingly urgent e-mails from the IRS or EZPass. Beware of Zip files especially if you don’t recognize their origin or are not expecting something. Misspelled subject lines or e-mail content is also a huge red flag.

Take Precautions:

Waiting until after you’ve got a virus to take care of a problem is simply too late – all of your files could be lost forever. It helps to have multiple checks in place on your system, as a single antivirus scanner may not detect the bug. There are simply too many variants of malware to be sure that a single check will uncover all of them. The best line of defense is to have multiple lines of defense.

Regularly backing up all your computer data is an easy way to minimize the damage done in case of an attack. The downtime after your files are lost or compromised could be devastating for a business, and having your files backed up is the best way to ensure that they’re still accessible after a malware attack.

VirRansom and other data-attacking bugs are the most potentially harmful to a business. The loss of data can be devastating, costly, and potentially business ending.

Raleigh IT Support Company and IT Services Provider | CSP Inc. is dedicated to ensuring that businesses remain safe and avoid dangerous bugs. For more information on how to keep your business secure, contact us at {e-mail} or speak to us directly by phone at (919) 424-2000 .