CryptoLocker is malware that is distributed through emails containing malicious attachments archives. Once they infect a device, they start encrypting some files and hold them for ransom.
“CryptoLocker appears to be spreading via fake emails designed to mimic the appearance emails from legitimate companies like FedEx and UPS.” states US – CERT.
This ransomware is capable of encrypting not only files from the local hard drive, but also from your USB drives, shared network drives, and external hard drives. It can also infect storage in the cloud.
Of course, the worst you have to do if you are attacked by this malware is to try to clean your computer. Forget it, you will lose your time as it is impossible to decrypt the files.
The security company Bitdefender developed an Anti-CryptoLocker tool and distributes it free. You can download it here.
