Rogueware attack holds your PC hostage

There are so many malware/trojan attacks running amok on the Internet, it’s getting difficult to keep track. Beyond the daily fake anti-viruses invading machines by the hour, there is now one that will hold all of your programs hostage until you buck up $79.99.

Researchers discovered a Trojan attack that basically freezes a user’s system unless he purchases the rogueware, which goes for about $79.99. The Adware/TotalSecurity2009 rogueware attack doesn’t just send fake popup security warnings — it takes over the machine and renders all of its applications useless, except for Internet Explorer, which it uses to receive payment from the victim for the fake antivirus. “The system is completely crippled,” says Sean-Paul Correll, threat researcher and security evangelist for PandaLabs, which found the new attack.

Correll says when the rogueware detects any application on the machine starting to execute, it then shuts down the application. “This happens for every file you try to open except IE. The only reason IE works is because that’s what’s used to allow victims to pay the cybercriminals,” he says.

While the attack is not really new, the veracity with which these guys are going after you is. Completely disabling programs raises the bar that victims are going to pay the fee rather than risk losing data.There have been ransoms demanded before-usually from large corporations that have money worth getting. Stooping to this level and holding the everyday consumer to the fire is an all new low.

As always, if you find yourself infected with this or any other infection-don’t pay the bad guys-contact us! We can help.