watch out for malware!

Well --- first time in about 2 years ---- but a computer in our home got hit by Artemis.

Artemis is really a DNS hijack - which starts re-directing web pages and loading potentially unwanted software.

One thing I noticed is that this particular version loaded itself into google drive - and spread spread itself to a second machine. (the cloud is not as secure as you might imagine).

I suspect Artemis was simply the mechanism that allowed other malware to load - and that the malware did the spreading

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In any event - spent 3 hours yesterday cleaning up computers ---- AND caught it trying to revive itself this morning.

Our computers aren't totally locked down, but I would consider them reasonably secure.

This bug has me re-thinking things, though.

The IT staff at work reports there's a version that moves data to a cloud location AND encrypts the data (effectively ransoming the data).

In any event - WATCH WHERE YOU SURF.

Am fairly certain this particular version jumped onto the first machine with a kid looking for cute wall paper.

Have you tried the Malware Bytes product: anti-malware. I think it is probably one of the best out there. I know it beat AVG and found infections that AVG didn't find.

Didn't know if you need it , but just thought I would mention it.

Install virus and malware protection software that is web aware and intercepts downloads and identifies them as containing either malware, viruses, spyware, or all three. Some good suggestions include:

Avast
AVG
Malware Bytes anti-malware

If you are a comcast home user, you can get Norton Antivirus from them. But, I personally don't use it anymore.

And most importantly, make sure you have good full systems backups that you update frequently. That is critical. Not just a data backup to the cloud or a usb drive, etc. But a full disaster recover plan for your computer.