New Ransomeware is running loose!

[DarkAngel]

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.

[KyotoKid]

...so it is in an email attachment? If so is it a specific type of email that can  simply be deleted?

[dogwaffle]

I don't know by experience if it helps, but I still recommend configuring your Windows PC with a dual boot alternative, booting into one of the Linux distros. If Windows is locked up, you could still possibly boot into Linux and recover some files.

You can also put it on a usb thumbdrive to boot from it

Try Centos for example. You might even discover that you could run many of your fave apps under Linux with emulation libs like Wine and/or play-on-linux

[Agent0013]

I guess I'm lucky I can't access the internet on my pc at this time! Crazy how the timing works for me on this! â„¢

[KyotoKid]

..unfortunately none of the graphics software I use plays well with Linux.  Daz sort of runs under Wine but often time the sliders don't work correctly and the content database will have fits. Carrara or Hexagon do not run at all under any Linux emulation. 

Blender does but until that programme gets a complete UI makeover, I won't bother with it

Fortunately like Agent Double-0-Hiccup, my workstation is not connected to the Net, but I do transfer new content and freebie downloads from the notebook I am using for Net purposes to it via USB stick.

[heavenlee]

This is unbelievable! How horrible! Wot gets me is why these people put things like that out there, i mean wot do they get out of it,sickos if u ask me!                                                                                     
There..............i've had my rant for the day,lol! Anyway, how r all u folks doing? Miss me,lol?xxxxxxxxxx

[parkdalegardener]

A dual boot system may not be an option. When you reboot into Linux or whatever alternate operating system you use, you automatically start the CHKDISK and other functions that are activated by this nuisance. The fact that you are rebooting to access the alternative operating system is the same as rebooting to access Windows. Exactly what the authors want you to do.

Keep your system updated and for the sake of your sanity go get the patches issued for your operating system. They are there at Mickysoft for every operating system XP onward; even if like XP, the OS is no longer supported.

This 0 Day was fixed a couple of years back. MS issued patches. People ignored them for whatever reason. This happened again a few months back. MS re-issued the patches that have been in place in their updates; for the worryworts, and those with an illegal copy of Win running that they were afraid to update.

I get that some state run enterprises and large companies may not be keeping pace with software upgrades, due to a fear that something may break that currently works. Many simple folk like us do the same thing. Ignorance is not bliss, and sticking with the old ways at all costs is not a path forward.

It is behooving upon you however; to actually hold those powers that be to the fire and demand they get with the program. If your hospital doesn't work, and you pay for medical; then boycott that hospital in the future and let them know why. If you power grid has shut down don't blame the ransomware. Blame your utility\govt. as the case may be for an inability to secure the grid. Bank machine not working. Transfer your account to another bank and tell your current institution why. You have no faith in their ability to secure their services or your cash\mortgage or whatever services you use.

Everything is connected to everything else. Tech runs at a pace beyond that of most users. No matter what level they operate at. If the basics in our modern society cannot be secured maybe we should be paying more attention to the cause. Not the symptoms.

[heavenlee]

maybe we should be paying more attention to the cause. Not the symptoms.            So well said! xxx

[Carolann]

thanks for the info. I had better back up my graphics as I have a book illustrations in process.

[DarkAngel]

All I can figure out is that it seems to pretend to be an update, then when you click to run your update is when you get murdered...

Not sure if it disguises itself as an update for something you already have or not.