Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Shackeng on 30 November 2013, 12:19:27

Title: Cryptolocker
Post by: Shackeng on 30 November 2013, 12:19:27
Can one of you IT experts advise if its worth loading CryptoPrevent to protect against CryptoLocker. I am security conscious, and never knowingly open unknown e-mails or links, although there is always a chance I might. :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Gaffers on 30 November 2013, 12:55:08
Never heard of it, and the details online are sketchy to say the least, but then it is new and I cannot find any information to suggest it is not legit......yet neither can I find any proof that it works :-\

Plus paying $25 for automatic updates, the free version requires manual updates, makes me question it tbh.

Better to use a layered approach to protecting yourself such as sandboxing*, robust and up to date AV, backups, etc....

*sandbox your email client until you are sure that everything in there is safe, then run it normally.
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: steve6367 on 30 November 2013, 13:27:24
There are better options as the post above - the website does not really tell you what it is going to do and it could just cause more problems.

I would steer clear.

Steve
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Shackeng on 30 November 2013, 14:12:34
Thanks guys, what is 'sandbox'? (i couldn't understand much of the Wiki explanation. :-[)
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Gaffers on 30 November 2013, 15:54:59
To run an application in a sandbox means to essentially let it run in a virtual environment completely isolated from the computer it is on thus keeping the OS, and data from harm that could be caused by any nefarious code.

As it cannot harm your computer, only the virtual environment it is contained within, it is great for using with applications you are not sure about.
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Shackeng on 30 November 2013, 16:25:27
To run an application in a sandbox means to essentially let it run in a virtual environment completely isolated from the computer it is on thus keeping the OS, and data from harm that could be caused by any nefarious code.

As it cannot harm your computer, only the virtual environment it is contained within, it is great for using with applications you are not sure about.

Thanks Matt, and how do I do this? :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Gaffers on 30 November 2013, 16:42:31
Virtualbox is fairly good and easy to install/use :y
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Shackeng on 30 November 2013, 17:46:58
Thanks very much. :y
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: TheBoy on 30 November 2013, 18:16:23
There are a lot of scams always going around claiming to protect against whatever vulnerability is floating around, I suspect this one is no different, and Cryptolocker is the vulnerability of the month currently.

Basic common sense protects you, in this case, as the malware requires your actions to install.

If you use XP, consider upgrading (XP runs out in March), but in the meantime, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER run as an Admin, if you run Vista or later and have disabled UAC, shoot yourself for being daft, then reset UAC to normal.

But as always, never click on links or open attachments in emails, unless you know for certain its legit.
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Shackeng on 30 November 2013, 19:03:47
There are a lot of scams always going around claiming to protect against whatever vulnerability is floating around, I suspect this one is no different, and Cryptolocker is the vulnerability of the month currently.

Basic common sense protects you, in this case, as the malware requires your actions to install.

If you use XP, consider upgrading (XP runs out in March), but in the meantime, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER run as an Admin, if you run Vista or later and have disabled UAC, shoot yourself for being daft, then reset UAC to normal.

But as always, never click on links or open attachments in emails, unless you know for certain its legit.

??? I have Win7 and don't think I've disabled anything except Norton and run Avast instead. :-\
Title: Re: Cryptolocker
Post by: Entwood on 30 November 2013, 19:07:48
There are a lot of scams always going around claiming to protect against whatever vulnerability is floating around, I suspect this one is no different, and Cryptolocker is the vulnerability of the month currently.

Basic common sense protects you, in this case, as the malware requires your actions to install.

If you use XP, consider upgrading (XP runs out in March), but in the meantime, never, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER run as an Admin, if you run Vista or later and have disabled UAC, shoot yourself for being daft, then reset UAC to normal.

But as always, never click on links or open attachments in emails, unless you know for certain its legit.

???

User Account Control ...  in Win 7 go to control panel / user accounts / select turn it on or off .. should ALWAYS be left at ON... in win 7  I have it on the second notch from the top... controls installations but not windows settings