Yet another good reason why offline backups are a good idea.

[deckeda]

Ransomware: http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/10/...-bitcoins/

[NewtonMP2100]

so that is why everyone keeps telling me to BACK that thing UP......everywhere that I go......????

[Robert M]

Deck,

Scary stuff! Glad I have multiple backups both online and offline and off-site. While it sounds like is a Windows machine issue only at this point, the crooks may decide to target other platforms as well.

Robert

[cbelt3]

Ransomware has been going on for decades. In fact, it's official policy for many large corporations.

I recall our main Oracle database stopped working one day because the key they gave us once we gave them their Dane Gelt didn't work. And we didn't know that.

That was an ugly conference call. There was much VTPKL bombing going on.

[jdc]

Yes, the attached archived zip file with an executable inside should have been a dead giveaway that this message was malicious...

I guess all my Macs are safe. =)