Isn't it great when your antivirus program alerts you to warn about the latest outbreaks and to assure you that they've got you covered. I've always liked Malwarebytes (This isn't a plug for them but...) I've been using them since around 2008. Until very recently, I've been running the free version and it was fine. However, since I've been making cash transfers, I figured some added protection may be in order... so I upgraded ($39.95 a year). Yesterday evening I got an email from them...
Dear Richard,
A new strain of ransomware, a Petya-esque variant being called Petya/NotPetya, is swiftly spreading across the globe today, impacting tens of thousands of computers as of 2:00 p.m., PST. More powerful, professional, and dangerous than last month's WanaCrypt0r attack, the Petya-esque ransomware uses the same EternalBlue exploit to target vulnerabilities in Microsoft's operating system. However, unlike WanaCrypt0r, this ransomware instructs you to reboot your computer and then locks up your entire system. Long story short: if you get this infection, you're hosed.
If you're thinking about paying the ransom for this threat ($300 in Bitcoin per PC)—don't bother. The email service that hosted the address where victims were instructed to send payment has closed the account. So at this point trying to pay the ransom will result in a returned email. However, the attackers may provide their victims with alternative forms of payment transactions.
Cyberattacks at a global scale seem to be happening more and more frequently. At Malwarebytes, we pledge to keep our customers and readers informed. Your safety is our number one priority.
Sincerely,
Well, to be safe is to be forewarned! Be careful, it's dangerous out there. I don't know what ails people... everyone is looking for the easy way to make money. Good luck and full Steem ahead!
It's worth noting that all these recent attacks take advantage of a vulnerability in Windows that can be easily patched via Windows Updates. Of couse Windows updates don't make your system invincible. My main point is that getting owned is not inevitable. And so many attacks can be avoided with some basic security.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm already running Windows security and get updates automatically... I just feel a little better making sure I'm secure!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great. Didn't mean to imply that you weren't. My message was more for the masses. I assumed, since you're running a paid version of MalwareBytes that you're security conscious. I also like to always recommend backups. As you pointed out, Petya will not just encrypt files. It will over write them. So those without backups truly are hosed. Thanks again for the great posts. I appreciate your reply.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
And thank you... Let's hope the masses are watching!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for the heads up, love your Vietnam veteran warning shield!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks! And you're more than welcome... This stuff is getting completely out of hand! It seems there's a new one every few days now.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Another ransomware damn that sucks.
Worst thing is that most of these malicious attacks were able to be done with leaked NSA tools.
Thanks for spreading the word.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I wonder if it's a part of a "master plan" to take over the internet... You know, just to keep us safe!!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I may invest into MalwareBytes Premium after all these problems.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I did and I feel a lot better! It's $39.95 a year and it provides real-time protection, 24/7.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Since most of the attacks are focused on MSWin, there's always the option of adapting to one of the great Linux distros. I adopted Mint last year and haven't looked back.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great post 😃
block port 445 on your external firewalls and update windows especially ms17-010.
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/cybercrime/2017/05/wanacrypt0r-ransomware-hits-it-big-just-before-the-weekend/
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms17-010.aspx
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
big money in it now so thats probably why we see more and more
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I know... I'm old and back in the old days, we had these things called jobs, where we went to work and they gave us money for it... That way we didn't have to steal from people- who actually do work!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
LOLZ! I remember those days!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Oh love this comment ,
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Oh no! Please! Not again!
The last one was a disaster!!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Better get some protection... especially if you're doing doing any $ transfers
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I do have protection but will it be any good? I certainly do hope so
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
What do you have?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
HW Firewall + Avast + I only connect using VPN
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm not that familiar. I've heard of Avast... I'd try to contact them and see what they cover.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit