How to avoid the Cryptolocker virus

A virus in our computer is always a headache and a cause for concern, but when it hijacks our files preventing access and also requests a ransom that we must pay with money to recover, then we really have a problem. This is exactly what Cryptolocker does, a virus that has been running since 2013 and that increasingly manages to penetrate more computers and mobile devices. How do you get it and why is it so dangerous? Can we avoid it? There is indeed a way to prevent it and in .com we explain it to you, discover how to avoid the Cryptolocker virus and keep your files protected.

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Cryptolocker is a virus developed for the purpose of extorting users . The creators send it through an email requesting that you complete a certain action by clicking on the external link or downloading a file that is provided in the email, by clicking on this link the user falls victim to the virus that begins to hijack the files that are on the computer, asking for a ransom in cash for them.

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But why do people click on this link? Because the creators of this virus send an email posing as a reliable agency that you would not suspect, for example Correos, shipping companies such as DHL or Fedex, or the email of a supposed client or provider that, depending on where you work, You will see as something normal.

When you click on the external link or download the alleged attachment, the virus starts to act. Many people see that files such as documents, photos, videos and the information they have on their computer start to disappear, they panic and pay the ransom in order to have their files returned to them, but in many cases this does not happen and the user is left without the money and without his documents. Given the danger of this virus, the best is effective prevention.

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Taking these details into account, it is easier to take the necessary measures to avoid the Cryptolocker virus and get to protect your computer effectively, so we recommend that you:

• Be especially careful if you are a Windows user, because this virus attacks the users of this operating system.
• Do not open any mail, even if it comes from a certified and known company, if you are not processing any order or work with them.
• Before performing any action indicated in an email, for example downloading an attachment or following a link to complete a process, make sure that everything makes sense, that the email really requests information or pertinent and real information. Again, if you have not requested a supplier any invoice or information and if you do not have to receive any package through the mail or another company, ignore the email in question.
• If any email seems suspicious, before clicking on attachments or files check the sender very well and make sure it is not false.
• In addition to all these recommendations, it is advisable to have an updated antivirus server installed on your computer . It is very important that it is up to date to effectively protect you from infections.
• If you receive a lot of emails every day and you can not always filter with such attention or simply if you want to cover your back, then you can download CryptoPrevent, a program created to modify the policies of the Windows system preventing any virus from running from the program data folder, thus keeping your files safe.

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In addition to all these measures to avoid the Cryptolocker virus, it is very important that you back up all your files to an external disk or to the cloud periodically. Most users of computers and mobile devices, even when we know how easy the information can disappear and get lost, we rarely make backup copies, this is one of the weaknesses that the creators of viruses like Cryptolocker take advantage of to attack and wreak havoc .