Got hit with a ransomware popup on my work laptop yesterday

I was just checking email around 2pm and a screen locked up demanding $500 in Bitcoin, said all my files were encrypted. I immediately unplugged the ethernet cable and called our IT guy, but he was off sick. Anyone know if these random popups actually encrypt stuff or is it a bluff to scare people into paying up?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_kevin1mo ago

$500 in Bitcoin" that's some serious cash for a bluff. I'd bet they actually encrypt your stuff though, these scams are way too common now and they wouldn't risk that many people calling their bluff. You did the right thing pulling the plug fast, hopefully your IT guy can remote in and check whats up when he's back.

-1

casey161mo ago

Did they at least leave a nice "ransom note" on your desktop with a smiley face?

gavina731mo ago

$500 is actually one of the lower ransoms Ive seen lately. Most of these ransomware groups are asking for like $1,000-$2,000 now because they know people are more likely to pay a smaller amount without thinking twice. But heres the thing nobody mentioned yet these scammers are getting smarter about how they choose victims. They scope out local business networks through public WiFi or even through stuff like unsecured printers and security cameras. So @casey16 might want to double check if their own network has been acting weird lately too. Its wild how fast this stuff spreads once one machine gets hit.