Sounds like something from Dr Who, doesn't it.
But it isn't!!!!!!!!
This is one of the latest viruses doing the rounds AND IT'S DANGEROUS.
Never has it been more important to back up your data - your documents, photos and spreadsheets.
Never has it been more important NOT to save your passwords on your computer! Get them off now.
Rombertik knows how to steal your passwords.
Rombertik knows when your security software is looking at it and this is when it is most dangerous. Once it realises it's been detected, it will attempt to destroy your data, either by destroying the Master Boot Record of your hard drive or by encrypting all your data rendering it useless.
If it destroys the Master Boot Record of your hard drive, there's a chance your data might be recovered - but don't bank on it - but if it can't do that, it will encrypt (scramble) all your photos and other documents on every drive connected to the computer and there is no way back from that scenario. Everything is lost.
Now is the time to get your house in order, BEFORE you fall for that spoof email.
How do you back up your data?
This can be as easy as copy and paste [EH???] or using windows built in backup program [WHAT?????] or buying an external hard drive from Media Markt (or some other computer shop) that has a built in backup button so all you have to do is press the button on the hard drive and it'll back up your data [Ohh?!].
Backups MUST NOT be on your computer, that defeats the object of them. They must be on an external drive that you ONLY connect to the computer to perform the backup and at NO OTHER TIME. Another thing - don't perform a backup if you think you have a virus because that's likely to backup the virus as well putting you in a worse state than you were before.
There is one thing though. For backups to work properly, you MUST file your documents properly. Not, as many people I see do, have loads of folders on your desktop with loads of stuff in them - that's just plain messy and very bad housekeeping and can impact on the performance of your computer.
Windows, and other operating systems, provide you with a 'filing cabinet' to put all your stuff, use it! In XP, it's called My Documents, in Windows 7, it's called Libraries. Get into the habit of using them. This will make backing up a piece of cake.
The simple way is to copy and paste, copy all your documents in My Documents or Libraries and paste them into the new drive you've just connected. If you don't know how to copy and paste anything, google it. This is a very simple basic function that you SHOULD already be aware of.
The next is using your operating system backup utility. This differs from os to os so I won't go into details here, again, if you don't know, google it, there are some very good tutorials out there.
Finally, using an external drive with a backup button, follow the instructions supplied with the drive.
Note: I cannot be held responsible if you lose data trying to follow my guidelines as these are not explicit instructions for you to follow. It is information to help put you in control of your own destiny and data and is supplied as is and in good faith.
If you want someone else to do the work for you, please ensure you contact a competent person to do it on your behalf. If you do not want to follow the advice, that's fine, I'll see you when you need your system reinstalling. Oh, you do have your recovery discs, don't you! If not, you'll need to pay for an installation disc as well.
All registered trade marks and brand names acknowledged. I don't own the names Rombertik, Dr Who, Windows XP, Windows 7, Google or Media Markt nor am I associated with any of these brands or names.
But it isn't!!!!!!!!
This is one of the latest viruses doing the rounds AND IT'S DANGEROUS.
Never has it been more important to back up your data - your documents, photos and spreadsheets.
Never has it been more important NOT to save your passwords on your computer! Get them off now.
Rombertik knows how to steal your passwords.
Rombertik knows when your security software is looking at it and this is when it is most dangerous. Once it realises it's been detected, it will attempt to destroy your data, either by destroying the Master Boot Record of your hard drive or by encrypting all your data rendering it useless.
If it destroys the Master Boot Record of your hard drive, there's a chance your data might be recovered - but don't bank on it - but if it can't do that, it will encrypt (scramble) all your photos and other documents on every drive connected to the computer and there is no way back from that scenario. Everything is lost.
Now is the time to get your house in order, BEFORE you fall for that spoof email.
How do you back up your data?
This can be as easy as copy and paste [EH???] or using windows built in backup program [WHAT?????] or buying an external hard drive from Media Markt (or some other computer shop) that has a built in backup button so all you have to do is press the button on the hard drive and it'll back up your data [Ohh?!].
Backups MUST NOT be on your computer, that defeats the object of them. They must be on an external drive that you ONLY connect to the computer to perform the backup and at NO OTHER TIME. Another thing - don't perform a backup if you think you have a virus because that's likely to backup the virus as well putting you in a worse state than you were before.
There is one thing though. For backups to work properly, you MUST file your documents properly. Not, as many people I see do, have loads of folders on your desktop with loads of stuff in them - that's just plain messy and very bad housekeeping and can impact on the performance of your computer.
Windows, and other operating systems, provide you with a 'filing cabinet' to put all your stuff, use it! In XP, it's called My Documents, in Windows 7, it's called Libraries. Get into the habit of using them. This will make backing up a piece of cake.
The simple way is to copy and paste, copy all your documents in My Documents or Libraries and paste them into the new drive you've just connected. If you don't know how to copy and paste anything, google it. This is a very simple basic function that you SHOULD already be aware of.
The next is using your operating system backup utility. This differs from os to os so I won't go into details here, again, if you don't know, google it, there are some very good tutorials out there.
Finally, using an external drive with a backup button, follow the instructions supplied with the drive.
Note: I cannot be held responsible if you lose data trying to follow my guidelines as these are not explicit instructions for you to follow. It is information to help put you in control of your own destiny and data and is supplied as is and in good faith.
If you want someone else to do the work for you, please ensure you contact a competent person to do it on your behalf. If you do not want to follow the advice, that's fine, I'll see you when you need your system reinstalling. Oh, you do have your recovery discs, don't you! If not, you'll need to pay for an installation disc as well.
All registered trade marks and brand names acknowledged. I don't own the names Rombertik, Dr Who, Windows XP, Windows 7, Google or Media Markt nor am I associated with any of these brands or names.
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