new ransom ware scam

mandrill

monkey
Aug 23, 2001
94,858
172,787
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Heads up about a new ransom ware scam that involves emails purporting to advise you that you have received a professional achievement award. Buddy of mine clicked on a link that advised him that he had been nominated for some fictitious "Lawyer of the Week" award and got zapped. All his .doc files destroyed and a huge bill to his computer guy to clean out his computer.
 
The first thing to do when your computer gets screwed up by a virus is to try to revert back with System Restore.



Bastards!


Ardy, you broke your cover!!! Now everyone knows you are one of us.
 
At least make the scammers work hard enough that they have to come up with the correct name of someone or some organization that you actually know and have some contact with already. Delete all the rest unopened.

If that makes you nervous that you're missing something good, try i) Telling yourself that's the very thing makes you a mark and a victim ii) Using an app. to clear your junkmail automatically after a set time (with or without an option for yr last-minute go-ahead).

But only look at that stuff when the app, or sender's follow-up prompts you. If too many 'real' emails are going into junk, you need to take the time to set up Rules. Scammers and spammers may send multi-copies, and use multi-identities, but they don't send follow-ups.

Anyone with a real proposition of actual value to you will find a safe way to get in touch.

If you're someone like a lawyer who must take first contacts from shady sorts as part of your business, at least route them to a cheap computer that's used for nothing else and, until you have established their bona fides and set up your file, only transfer text copies that your people manufactured to your network. Disgruntled clients seeking revenge are a different fry-kettle.
 
Apparently I got one email with simiiar stuff recently from a family member too but didnt open it as have been warned.

It seems like something crazy going on in To in that regard or some anti virus company just trying to make some money.

The email btw had a company report or some sort along these lines attachment as I recall.
 
. Buddy of mine clicked on a link that advised him that he had been nominated for some fictitious "Lawyer of the Week" award and got zapped. .

No offense but your buddy's a moron. Why would anyone click on those dumb links? What possible good could come from clicking one of those links???