Businesses across the UK are at risk from a malicious computer virus, which has returned to encrypt data files on PCs before demanding a ransom for their release.  Icomm Technologies is warning the virus is even more virulent than previous.

Dubbed one of the Internet’s most lethal, the ‘GPCode Trojan Virus’ that spreads via malicious websites and peer-to-peer networks brings severe warnings with it. The most recent variant makes data recovery - even with specialist software - nigh on impossible after overwriting multimedia and Microsoft Office files on infected Windows PCs.

Compromised PC users will immediately notice GpCode Trojan infiltration with constant warning messages on screen that all data will be deleted unless a ransom is paid.
“The warning messages recommend the user pays for a special decrypt program that costs $120 (£77) in order to fix this situation,” said Ian Callens of Icomm Technologies. “The user will be asked to make a bank transfer and also send the perpetrators the full serial key shown at the end of the message.  Do not fall for this scam as the chances of getting an unlock key are slim to none.”
Businesses should not panic when faced with such unruly demands.  Transferring funds in the hope of retrieving data will result in more details falling into the wrong hands and will simply create further opportunities for criminals to snatch business capital.

The reignited danger of ransomware such as the GPCode Trojan is made more threatening in light of recent research by the University of Worcester in conjunction with The National Computing Centre, which found SMEs in the Midlands to be lacking awareness of cyber-crime with only 42% having an information security policy in place.

Callens said: “This research demonstrates even further the need to proactively protect business information.  Many organisations fail to realise the devastating effects of losing sensitive data, the loss of reputation that can endure, the financial, and even legal implications attacks like these can bring.  This virus isn’t a bluff.”

“Preventing the impact of an attack is a much more successful and cost-effective exercise than trying to recover from any infiltration.  The most important protection measure is taking data back-up, network patching and security software updates very seriously.”