Whether they choose to investigate or not, you should report the infection to the police. Either disable WiFi, unplug the network lead or power the machine off completely.Īs well as preventing spread, disconnecting your device should help to protect files that are currently stored in the cloud. The minute you suspect your computer has been infected you should disconnect it from your home network.
The malware will also try and infect other devices on your network. This process can be very quick, meaning that your information can be lost in a matter of minutes. Ransomware works through your computer, encrypting files as it goes. Which is why we are seeing more of these malware attacks – and why you need to know how to deal with an infection before you become a victim. Desperate people will pay ransoms quickly to regain access to their files – easy money for hackers. Unfortunately, ransomware is rapidly becoming the weapon of choice for cybercriminals. An infection can be devastating, with precious memories and photographs along with important digital paperwork potentially lost forever. When critical files are infected and encrypted, a company may be forced to shut down – perhaps permanently.īut ransomware can attack anyone – including decent, law-abiding citizens like you.
