ESET, in a press released advises its customers worldwide about potential infected emails. When opened, it encrypts victims‘ files on their PCs and requires a ransom for decryption.

The virus known as Nemucod, often attacks users’ in Europe, North America, Australia and Japan. Emails are written in a very trustworthy way, claiming to be invoices, notices of appearance in court or other official documents. Attackers are just trying to get users to open the malicious attachment that contains a JavaScript file, which after it is opened, downloads and installs Nemucod to the victims PC.

ESET Security Evangelist Peter Stančík, said: “Nemucod currently downloads mainly ransomware, for example TeslaCrypt or Locky. These encrypt the data on the victim‘s computer and demand ransom.”

How to protect yourself from this threat? :

• Do not open attachments sent to you in emails from unknown senders.
• Warn colleagues who most frequently receive emails from external sources – for instance financial departments or human resources.
• Regularly backup your data. In case of infection, this will help you recover all your data. An external disc or other storage should not remain connected to a computer in order to avoid infection by filecoder.
• Regularly install updates of your OS and other software you use. If you still use Windows XP, seriously consider moving to another supported operating system of Windows.
• Security software must also be used with all updates installed, ideally with the latest version. IT security vendors offer new versions of their software with additional security features.
• Users of ESET solutions are protected when ESET LiveGrid Reputation System  is turned on. This technology protects users‘ devices against ransom-ware by actively blocking their processes.