Be Careful

So recently I was browsing through the internet when my dad texted me saying that there is a virus going on in computer games.

Here is the link:http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31869589

If your too lazy to go to the link here is wat it says

Gamers are being targeted by a computer virus that stops them playing their favourite titles unless they pay a ransom.

On infected machines, the malicious program seeks out saved games and other files and encrypts them.

A key to unlock encrypted files is only supplied if victims pay at least $500 (£340) in Bitcoins.

The malware targets 40 separate games including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Minecraft and World of Tanks.

Dark web cash
The malicious program looks similar to the much more widely distributed Cryptolocker ransomware that has caught out thousands of people over the last couple of years.

But analysis of the malware, called Teslacrypt, reveals that it shares no code with Cryptolocker and appears to be have been created by a different cybercrime group.

Researcher Vadim Kotov from security firm Bromium said the file was catching people out via a website its creators had managed to compromise. The site involved is a Wordpress blog that is inadvertently hosting a file that abuses a loophole in Flash to infect visitors.

One a machine is infected, wrote Mr Kotov, the malware looks for 185 different file extensions. In particular, it seeks out files associated with many popular video games and online services such as Steam that give people access to them.

"Interestingly, although these are all popular games, none of them matches any particular 'Top Sellers' or 'Most Played' chart, " said Mr Kotov. "They could just be games the developer loves to play."

Files holding gamers' profiles, maps, saves and modified versions of games are all sought by Teslacrypt, he said.

He said anyone who tries to outwit the malware by uninstalling a game they obtained via an online service may end up disappointed.

"Often it's not possible to restore this kind of data even after re-installing a game via Steam," he wrote.

Once target files are encrypted the malware pops up a window telling victims they have a few days to pay up and retrieve their data.

To decrypt, victims can either pay $500 in Bitcoins or $1,000 in Paypal My Cash payment cards. The virus tells victims to send payment details to an address located on the Tor anonymous browsing network.

The encryption system used by Teslacrypt has yet to be cracked meaning victims would have to turn to back-ups to restore scrambled files.

Most likely this will not happen to you. But be careful

 

Thanks you for telling us :D

 

Thankyou for the warningg naylin!

 

So, does this virus affect your whole account, or just the computer? My virus wasn't as terrible as this, but thanks for the warning, guess I won't be playing minecraft for a while.

 

No dont quit mc. You can always play it. Just be careful.
And I think the files just affects your computer but Im not completely sure

 

This is what caught my attention
Too many players are at stake

 

Now I'm scared :(

 

I'm just gonna be like "Screw it... It's Minecraft" at one point.

 

Same xD

 

I didnt mean to scare everyone but I want u ppl to be aware

 

Thank you for shareing this update @NINJANAYLIN123

 

Thanks for telling us c:

 

Your welcome

 

Holy shit I hope it's not in the Steam version of The Sims 3.

Thank you for informing us.

 

I could care less about Minecraft, but I checked and it seems to affect League Of Legends. That wouldn't be fun.
Really, so long as everyone knows what sites not to go on, they shouldn't get the virus in the first place.
At least it's just game data though. Better than identity theft or destruction of hardware.

 

That means you do care :P


Thanks for the warning Naylin!

 

So far I haven't seen any people I know effected by the virus. But incase I have given up some recommendation tips:

1. Dont download things of websites you don't trust
2.Keep you eyes open!
3.If you want to you can take a break of mc {Dont do this}
4.Sometimes if you insert usbs in certain computers they may create a virus.

If you have any problems with you're games ask a computer expert or someone who would help you with computers.

 

This virus can only enter your computer by downloading or transferring something to your personal software or RAM. DO NOT DOWNLOAD ANY ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE! They can and may be compromised by this virus and therefore it can infect your computer without your knowing. Do not try to download anything, including minecraft mods, because this is the easiest way viruses can enter inside the computer. Personally, I would advise caution while roaming social media, because they are likely targets for this virus to gain a foothold.

 

Thanks for warning us.

 

ya wat he said