re: WARNING: Just had a Ransom Ware attack on my computer

As a sort of preventative measure that I use for files, I always recommend partitioning part of your drive specifically for storage and encrypting it.

Should your windows/OS partition get infected, it's easy to simply and wipe/restore/reinstall on the OS Partition. As long as your storage partition is encrypted, your files should be safe from most malware or ransom ware.

Obviously. I've had my run-ins with ransom ware and lost important files like OP.

That is why I separate my music, images, documents, etc into it's own "storage" partition that is in no way linked to the OS. If the OS gets infected, my pictures and the like are protected.

Good explanation here:

"Having at least two partitions - one for the operating system and one to keep your personal data, will assure the fact that whenever your are forced to reinstall the operating system, your data will remain untouched and you will be able to access it."

LINK

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So you followed the third link "within" a page you found doing a Google search?

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No, my search resulted in several articles from different sources. I read the articles from the first two search result links and then had just clicked on the third search result link article when the attack happened.

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As long as your storage partition is encrypted, your files should be safe from most malware or ransom ware.

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That would be pretty inconvenient, as the files would only be protected as long as the volume isn't mounted (decrypted), during which time, you can't use them. It would be simpler to put it all on an external drive that you power up only when in use.

I got one of those one time.



But I'm running Linux, so I just killed my browser session and started over

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Also is there a way to prevent it?

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Outdated or unpatched Java implementations are apparently the #1 attack vector for Ransomware.

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Inconvenient, not as much as you make it out to be, but in a sense, yes. However, for peace of mind knowing my files are protected, I can deal with a little inconvenience. Mounting partitions is pretty simple, even with encryption.

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You also have to remember to unmount when you're through, and you better be quick about it.

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I do recommend putting everything on an external as a backup, but often people don't want to have to haul one around to access their files.

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I wasn't recommending that approach, just suggesting it as a similar alternative.

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The simplest option is to designate a folder to be uploaded to cloud-based storage (i.e. syncing with Google Drive). They give up to 15GB of free storage.

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I have multiple backup sets using bare drives. I keep one set off-site and rotate it regularly. They are for disaster recovery.

My approach to malware is to not get any, which I've managed to do since before the first virus was written, despite never running realtime antivirus software. I do use full disk encryption on all my drives, but it's to protect my data at rest, i.e. against physical theft. I do run Firefox with uBlock Origin and Noscript, I uninstalled Flash a long time ago, and I load suspect sites or sites that draw in too much stuff to try to whitelist in a VM. I've never had malware in the VM, either. I don't download and run random crap, and somehow, I've managed to avoid the drivebys. I'm either the luckiest bastard alive, or I'm doing something right. Either way, I have sufficient backups to recover.

The latest VMWare is browser based and requires Java. I couldn't believe they would move away from a stand alone GUI. Although you can still use the old version for administration.

VMWare outsourced the development of desktop virtualization products to china back in January....

may wanna switch to VBox. just sayin...