Hackers Hold Seven Year Old Family Photos for Ransom

Wnct.com reported on 7th April, 2014 stating that computer hacker trapped seven years old photos of Loretta Barbee, resident of Spring Hill, Florida, US inside her computer for ransom.

Initially hackers sent a message demanding $500 and after four days, the ransom was increased to $1000. The hackers threaten to destroy the encryption code in case she does not pay soon.

Wnct.com reported on 4th April, 2014 quoting Barbee as saying "they don't want to pay money to scammers because they are not sure that crooks would return them their photos even after getting money."

Tom Perricone, President of Shield Watch, a company that removes computer viruses, analyzed the situation of Barbee.

Wnct.com reported on 4th April, 2014 quoting Perricone as saying "the computer of Barbee is infected with CryptoLocker and there is remote chance of getting the photos back."

Perricone said that CryptoLocker runs like a business and they are not interested to keep your data as they want only cash. Actually they are willing to destroy your data to prove a point.

Perricone said that if you pay money then CryptoLocker normally releases your data and interestingly installs virus protection on your computer.

Kduz.com published news on 1st April, 2014 which states that Loretta Barbee is not the only one to be struck by the CryptoLocker in last few days but RD Machine Inc., a business house located in Michigan, US also reported data theft of worth around $240,000 after being hit by the same nasty virus.

The business house filed a police complaint according to which a message from "CryptoLocker" ransomware popped-up on their workplace computer demanding a hefty ransom of $400.

Jeff Laway, President, RD Machine Inc. said that he bought a green dot card and paid 400 USD for the data that was taken from the system for ransom. They said that they would release the data to the company only on receipt of the money. Kduz.com published news on 1st April, 2014 quoting Laway as saying that the information was not released even after giving with the ransom money.

» SPAMfighter News - 4/14/2014