Rick's Daily Tips

Your daily dose of practical, easy to follow tech tips!

  • Home
  • Rick’s Bio
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rick’s Tip Jar
  • Get My Tech Tips Newsletter
  • Contact Me

Scam alert: Beware the dangerous ‘Energy Rescue’ ransomware app!

Posted on January 26, 2017

Hackers and scammers have been using ransomware attacks to extort money from unsuspecting PC users for years, and now they’re targeting smartphone and tablet users as well.

Unfortunately, it’s very easy to install a malicious app on your phone or tablet by mistakenly thinking the app is legit.

Right now there’s a very dangerous ransomware app targeting Android users, and apparently plenty of people are installing it.  [Read more…]

Scam Alert: Beware the nasty new PolloCrypt Ransomeware Virus

Posted on May 22, 2015

scamA new virus called PolloCrypt is making the rounds, and it’s a bad one.

PolloCrypt silently encrypts all the data on your hard drive, then demands that you pay a “ransom” of several hundred dollars to a group of hackers before they will decrypt your files so you can regain access to them.

“Ransomware” of this type certainly isn’t new, but this one is the latest strain of it to hit the streets so you need to be especially wary of it.

It has been reported that the hackers often fail to decrypt a victim’s files even after the ransom has been paid, so it’s wise to avoid getting the virus in the first place if at all possible.

Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself against the nasty PolloCrypt Ransomware Virus:  [Read more…]

Beware the ultra-nasty CryptoWall ransomeware virus

Posted on June 20, 2014

cryptowall-screenshotMost folks are now aware of the nasty CryptoLocker ransomeware virus and have learned how to avoid it, but now its equally nasty successor has arrived on the scene.

Like CryptoLocker before it, CryptoWall takes over your PC and encrypts all the files on the hard drive, then demands that the user pay a hefty ransom in order to have the files un-encrypted. Only this time the ransom is even higher.

The CryptoWall ransom starts out at a whopping $500, then doubles every three days until the user finally gives in and pays the ransom.

To prove that they can indeed un-encrypt your files, the hackers behind CryptoWall will offer to un-encrypt just one of your files for free.

The best way to deal with the CryptoWall threat is to avoid getting it in the first place and be prepared just in case you fall victim to it anyway. Here’s how:  [Read more…]

Android users beware: SimpleLocker malware ecrypts the files on your Android device and holds them for ransom

Posted on June 10, 2014

android-logoA while back I wrote about the nasty CryptoLocker ransomeware that was encrypts the hard drives on PCs. Hackers then demand a ransom in exchange for decrypting the locked files. Not a good thing!

Now, a similar piece of ransomeware is attacking Android devices. It’s called SimpleLocker, and it does basically the same thing as CrytoLocker.

So far there have been no reports of SimpleLocker attacking devices in the United States, but it’s only a matter of time before it hits our shores as well.  [Read more…]

How to protect yourself against the insidious CryptoLocker ransomeware

Posted on November 11, 2013

cryptolockerCryptoLocker is an especially insidious form of “Ransomeware” – malware that basically locks up all the user data on your computer’s drives until you fork over some cash to a far-away crook.

What makes CryptoLocker so bad is the way it encrypts the user data on your hard drive using a super-strong encryption method. This makes it literally impossible to access your own data without forking over a bundle of cash in exchange for the unlock key.

The key to protecting yourself from CryptoLocker lies in prevention because even though there are several “cures” being hawked on the Internet, their effectiveness varies when they work at all.

Here are are a few things you can do to prevent your PC from getting infected with the CryptoLocker virus, and recover from it if you still end up getting hit:  [Read more…]




Popular…

How do I ask you a tech question?


Step-by-step guide to completely ridding your PC of viruses and other malware


10 reasons why I recommend buying tech gear from Amazon


Advertise

Guest Post Guidelines

Want to ask me a tech question?

Handy Tech Resources

Privacy Policy

Computer Tips
Smartphone Tips
Blogging Tips

Tech Q & A
Reviews
Tech News

Write for RicksDailyTips.com

Scam alerts
Downloads

Copyright © 2023 RicksDailyTips.com

Affiliate Disclaimer


Rick's Daily Tips is hosted by InMotion Hosting. Click here to find out why.