The National Crime Agency is warning computer users they have two weeks to protect against a "powerful computer attack".
'Two Weeks' To Prepare For Cyber Attack
The National Crime Agency is warning computer users they have two weeks to protect against a "powerful computer attack".
It comes as US officials held a press conference accusing a Russian hacker of masterminding the scam and raking in £60m.
Two pieces of malware software known as GOZeuS and CryptoLocker are at the centre of the alert.
People are being warned to make sure their security software is installed and up to date, and to run scans to check for any problems.
Important files should also be backed up, said the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA).
The malware typically infects a computer via attachments or links in emails.
"(They) may look like they have been sent by genuine contacts and may purport to carry invoices, voicemail messages, or any file made to look innocuous," the NCA warned.
"These emails are generated by other victims' computers, who do not realise they are infected, and are used to send mass emails creating more victims."
The agency said GOZeuS (also known as P2PZeuS) was responsible for hundreds of millions of pounds of fraud globally.
If a user clicks on an infected link or attachment, the malware silently monitors activity and tries to capture any private information, such as banking details.
The second threat comes from the Cryptolocker malware which can lock a user out of their files until a "ransom" of several hundred pounds is paid.
"Recent intelligence has suggested that more than 15,500 computers in the UK are currently infected, with many more potentially at risk," said the NCA.
FBI action in the US had weakened the network of affected computers, said the NCA, "meaning that action taken now to strengthen online safety can be particularly effective".
Thirty-year-old Russian Evgeniy Bogachev is the alleged leader of the gang behind the attacks, FBI executive assistant director Robert Anderson told reporters in Washington DC.
"GameOver Zeus is the most sophisticated botnet the FBI and our allies have ever attempted to disrupt," Mr Anderson said. /Sky News
Computer Virus: How To Protect Yourself
Computer users have been warned to protect themselves from a new computer virus which could hold their PC to ransom - or even drain their bank accounts.
The 'Gameover Zeus' virus has been temporarily disabled after the police launched attacks on the servers of the criminals behind the 'malware'.
But experts warn that computer users have only two weeks to protect their computer. Find out everything you need to do here.
Everything You Need To Know About The GameOver Zeus Computer Virus
How do you get the Gameover Zeus computer virus?
The virus installs itself on your computer when you click on a link from an unsolicited website or on a website. It will then send emails to other people from your computer - without your knowledge - allowing it to spread rapidly across the internet.
What can the virus do?
The virus will track everything you do on your computer, waiting for an opportunity to steal personal details, such as online banking information and passwords. These will then be sent back to the criminal network, who could use this information to gain access to your bank account.
If the software does not get enough information, it can lock your computer and hold it to ransom, demanding one Bitcoin - around £300 - to unlock it. If you don't pay, they can delete everything on your computer, including all photos and music.
How do I know if I have the virus?
The National Crime Agency has warned that the computers of more than 15,000 people in the UK are already infected with the virus. Most of these will have been contacted by their internet service provider.
How do I protect my computer from the Gameover Zeus computer virus?
You will need to do two things to protect yourself. Firstly, install some anti-virus software, such as McAfee or Norton. The website - getsafeonline.org - lists eight free software packages you can use (although this site has crashed throughout the morning).
See LBC's list of anti-virus programmes to protect yourself
Secondly, ensure you have updated your operating system to the latest version. On a PC, you can do this by visiting the Microsoft website.
To ensure your PC is set up for automatic updates, click on the Control Panel, then:
Depending on which Control Panel view you use, Classic or Category, do one of the following:
- Click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.
- Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.
Click the option that you want. Make sure Automatic Updates is not turned off.
How long have I got to protect myself?
Police have taken down the criminal network's servers, temporarily disabling the virus. They estimate it will take them around two weeks to build it back up again.
Should I change my passwords?
The National Crime Agency has advised changing passwords, as original passwords may have been compromised during the infection. It is also worth checking bank and credit card statements for any irregularities. /LBC
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