Ransomware has become even more common throughout the past two years. It is a demanding virus that is caught through emails, downloaded files or hidden in apps on your phone or PC. The virus then encrypts all major files e.g. Word documents, PDF files and demands you to pay a fee to get them back. Normally the fee is demanded in bitcoins, a virtual currency to make it less traceable. “When I found out that our files had been encrypted with ransomware it was like our business had shutdown, our files had gone and we couldn’t work on anything”- says Glenn Thompson, director of Advance FM.

Computerman reacted when Glenn noticed that his files were beginning to turn into ZEPTO files, the popular format to encrypt the files. Ransomware is becoming increasingly popular as a lot of people are being blackmailed into paying over the ransom in a desperate bid to get their files back.

When Computerman arrived at Advance, half of their files were already encrypted, but we found the computer that was infected with the virus, disconnected it from the network and shut down the server to stop more infection.

Computerman worked from a backup to salvage as many files as possible, luckily the backup was from the day before so no data was lost. “You would never believe the amount of trouble this causes for a business” – says Nigel Bawden, director of T-Mex LTD. “We couldn’t work on our computers until the virus was removed from the server and it is surprising how businesses rely heavily on computers”. “Computerman ensured that all my files were back as quickly as possible with minimal disruption”.

“We had to go through and check every single folder, to make sure there wasn’t a ZEPTO file in sight”, said Harry Simpson, IT Engineer at Computerman. “It was a very long process, but it had to be done to save T-Mex’s files”, he added.

If you ever get caught out in ransomware or find your files have been encrypted call Computerman on 01622 677677 or visit our website www.computermanuk.co.uk