Computer hijacking

The Sydney Morning Herald's tech section has a breathless article on the risks of ransomware. Ransomware is a virus or trojan that locks you out of your data and demands a ransom to unlock it. The first occurrence of ransomware was reported a year or so ago.

Ransomware is way overstated as a risk, for the writers the money trail would quickly lead the authorities to them and certain jail or a visit from some unhappy victims. Spyware writing and system hijacking are far more profitable and less risky pursuits. The funny thing is that no-one seems to have been affected by it, as the article admits.

"Computer emergency response team Auscert, said it had received no reports of ransomware trojans in Australia but because they tend to be spread via malicious websites rather than via email it was a difficult area to monitor."

Computers being hijacked is common. Spyware and virus writers do it all the time. A hijacked computer is then used to spread spam, viruses and plaster ads everywhere.

There's no need to be hysterical about computers being hijacked because it's happening right now. I get sick of repeating all the warnings about how you should protect your computer. But here's the instruction on the PC Rescue website.