Topic: CryptoWall trojan on my machine

[eigenvector]

I think this is one case where Windows 10 saved my butt.

I was hunting around the directory structure and ran across an image file where one shouldn't be - turns out it's some thing to do with the CryptoWall Trojan - ransomware.  So I'm freaking out - thinking, 'oh crap, now I have to squash this thing before it triggers.'

So I did some rooting around - and it turns out, it simply doesn't work on my Windows 10 box.

I have a dual boot box, left-over from the whole Microsoft force migration to Windows 10.  My guess, it installed on the old Vista image, and now it's orphaned since my Vista drive doesn't even see the light of day anymore.

Not that I would have paid any ransom - I would have simply pulled out my two hard drives, shredded them, bought two new drives, and started over.  I don't keep anything I couldn't restore on my PC anyway.

[eigenvector]

Thanks for the heads up on the Win 10.  This one did not trigger - it's been on my drive since Jan 2016.  If it hasn't run now, it won't ever.

That said - probably time to do a little winter cleaning on the drive, see what can go what can stay, and make plans.

BTW:  I hate the scare tactics that the anti-virus companies employ, dispense just enough information to get your hackles up - but not enough to tell if it's a problem or not.  That and my experience with anti-virus software is that it's, how shall I say this... heavy on resources and for some things they don't even work anymore.  Makes you wonder why you should bother with it - assuming you aren't doing stupid stuff like downloading screensavers or surfing adult websites and clicking ads.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

What's your take on Windows Defender? Any need for other protection?