Computer Security: Ransomware Alerts

Do you know what "Ransomware" is?

• Do you know what to do when Ransomware infects your computer?
• The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) wants to hear from ransomware victims gain a more comprehensive view of the current threat and its impact on U.S. victims.

Ransomware is computer malware that installs covertly on a victim's computer, executes a cryptovirology attack that adversely affects it, and demands a ransom payment to restore it. Keeping offline backups of data stored in locations inaccessible to the infected computer, such as external storage drives, prevents them from being accessed which can accelerate data restoration.

The FBI issued a ransomware Public Service Announcement on September 15, 2016. The IC3 wants to hear from internet users when they encounter or are infected by ransomware.

What to Report to Law Enforcement

The FBI is requesting victims reach out to their local FBI office and/or file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, at www.IC3.gov, with the following ransomware infection details (as applicable):

1. Date of Infection
2. Ransomware Variant (identified on the ransom page or by the encrypted file extension)
3. Victim Company Information (industry type, business size, etc.)
4. How the Infection Occurred (link in e-mail, browsing the Internet, etc.)
5. Requested Ransom Amount
6. Actor’s Bitcoin Wallet Address (may be listed on the ransom page)
7. Ransom Amount Paid (if any)
8. Overall Losses Associated with a Ransomware Infection (including the ransom amount)
9. Victim Impact Statement