Lost computer files

I've heard about that virus, or a variant of it. They talked about it on a radio show with a few IT folks who pretty much all said once you get it you may as well forget about all your files since there really isn't any way to recover them.

So sorry to hear that happened to you.

You could try taking it to your schools IT dept. They may be able to remove the virus.

If you're comfortable working on your own computer, Google the virus name and removal. Use the troubleshooter from a well known company like Norton.

You may need to get someone to help you but your files are not gone.

This is not a typical virus. It's a worm malware program (Trojan horse) that basically removed all the data, encrypted it, put it in cloud storage and then tells the data owner to pay a criminal ransom to retrieve the encryption key. It affects mostly Windows 7&8. If your external drive is attached or your cloud data storage is "open" this Trojan horse takes all of that too (basically any storage point that is a lettered drive on your system) not affecting Apple at this time. Often this malware program accessed & launched from a link in an email or rarely from a pirated website. There is no work around right now once infected. Paying the ransom rarely gets a valid encryption key. Prevention and alternate data back up is key. There is code that can be added to your computer that blocks the infection. Not all anti malware programs are effective against this attack.

The files aren't gone like with certain destructive viruses that wipe out hard drives but the files essentially stolen (and inaccessible) and locked away encrypted with ransom asked to get the encryption key.

From Symantec Trojan.Cryptowall | Symantec

Why can't the people who do this stuff use their powers for good?

This is not a typical virus. It's a worm malware program (Trojan horse) that basically removed all the data, encrypted it, put it in cloud storage and then tells the data owner to pay a criminal ransom to retrieve the encryption key. It affects mostly Windows 7&8. If your external drive is attached or your cloud data storage is "open" this Trojan horse takes all of that too (basically any storage point that is a lettered drive on your system) not affecting Apple at this time. Often this malware program accessed & launched from a link in an email or rarely from a pirated website. There is no work around right now once infected. Paying the ransom rarely gets a valid encryption key. Prevention and alternate data back up is key. There is code that can be added to your computer that blocks the infection. Not all anti malware programs are effective against this attack.

The files aren't gone like with certain destructive viruses that wipe out hard drives but the files essentially stolen (and inaccessible) and locked away encrypted with ransom asked to get the encryption key.

From Symantec Trojan.Cryptowall | Symantec

I just read this and THANK YOU SO MUCH because I did have a USB drive attached to the computer for handing in assignments sometimes and I just left it in..now I'm not going to reattach it until it's checked out. You might have just saved me another $250 to repair my computer and laptop thanks.

Yeah I also have windows 8. I don't update to 10 because you can't play videos on it and I need to use mosby skills videos with school.