Beware 'Ransomware' targeting UK computer users and SMEs

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned of a 'significant risk' from emails with an attachment that, if launched, runs malware known as Cryptolocker. Cryptolocker encrypts the user’s files on the infected machine and demands payment to recover the data - an attack known as ransomware. The NCA points out that this spamming campaign is particularly targeting SMEs (presumably because of the type of message and fake attachment).

The usual advice to protect yourself applies including: ensure anti-virus is up to date; back up data; and don't open attachments if you have any doubts at all about their origin.