SA Police issues warning on ransomware scam virus crippling computers

A SOUTH Australian student lost six months of their work from a computer virus sweeping the state that cripples machines.

A student lost six months of work when a computer virus locked his computers.

A SOUTH Australian student lost six months of work from a computer virus sweeping the state that cripples machines.

SA Police have warned computer owners about an influx of ransomware scams, which encourage computer users to click on email links, activating a virus that locks computers by encrypting data.

The locking of the computer is generally linked to a demand or request for money in order to reinstate computer access.

Any device attached to the infected machine will also be encrypted.

At least 10 incidents have been reported to SA Police, via the Australian Cybercrime Reporting Network, over the past two weeks but investigators believe that may be the tip of the iceberg.

In one case, a student reported losing about six months’ work as a result of such an attack.

Recovery from an attack is difficult, if not impossible, police said.

The scam emails vary in format and often purport to represent significant legitimate organisations in order to trick computer users.

Recent scams claimed to be from Australia Post and Australia Federal Police.

Police believe the attacks are emanating from overseas and are likely to continue.

Police e-crime experts urge people not to click on any links attached to unsolicited or suspicious emails.

Originally published as SA Police issues warning on ransomware scam virus crippling computers