URGENT – virus RANSOMWARE info
I just received, in the same day, 3 emails purporting to be from Amazon. The subject said that my package had been shipped. That’s strange; I’m not expecting anything from them. Of course it was a virus; and an especially nasty variant. Ransomware encrypts the contents of your hard drive and demands payment for the password to unlock the drive. If this hits you – you only have two options. Pay it ransom and “hope” they send you the password – and not ask for more money. Or, just wipe the drive and rebuild your system from “nothing”. Depending on the specific variant, the encryption can be done using either the AES 128-bit or RSA 2048-bit encryption algorithms – which are extremely difficult to break. Put in other words, unless you have the computing power of the CIA, you can’t break the code.
Regular readers know that I have been a computer person all my life, really. My personal PC has many layers of defenses. Think of a castle: high walls, archers on the ramparts, a moat, alligators in the moat, you get the idea. Well, my system has 9 layers of defenses, and those emails were not caught till layer 7. They should have never been forwarded by my Internet Service Provider – but they were. You, yes YOU need to learn how to protect yourself – or – eventually pay the consequences. I have discussed PC protection in prior blogs and will not rehash, but rather present some new material.
With the assumption that you have a decent anti-virus program, AND it automatically keeps itself current by downloading updates – at least daily; AND you have a backup methodology – read on. Wow, that was a long sentence even for me; but those two are the most important things you can do.
Next, you need to understand that some types of attachments can be nasty. Most of the time, there might be exceptions; good old .doc files are safe, as are .txt – most of the time. Some types are poison, the very commonly sent .js or java script is the classic virus spreader. The one that attacked me was .docm that little M at the end is really, really, nasty. It stands for document with a Macro (executable code that can do ** anything ** to your computer) – just by opening it with your word processing program. Now that’s really sneaky. The little “built in” macro does not actually scramble your computer, it needs help. So, it contacts the “mother ship” and downloads the real ransomware – slick, efficient, and deadly.
To protect yourself – DO NOT BE CURIOUS. Just delete the email, I’m good with computers, I know enough to not open emails that are unexpected – NEVER. Next, make sure your PC is set to show you the file extension. When you look at the attachment does it say ClosingDocs or ClosingDocs.PDF? Learn how to configure your PC to show the “file type” – and change it to show the complete file name. Be aware that some will have, to fool you, multiple “file type” such as ClosingDocs.pdf.js – if you are not configured to see the complete file name it will appear without the final extension of .js – make sure to do this. You should not ever “hide” the file extension – there is NO good reason – it’s commonly the default to make the files look “simpler” to the casual user. Check to see if your word processor supports prohibiting some “file types” – if so configure it to either not allow .js .docm (and many others, find out which) – or to at the very least to ask you “are you sure you want to open this type of file”.
Malware that simply destroys your computer is certainly still being created by sick puppies. This up and coming threat of ransomware is growing – they can, and do receive money from their victims. When you pay, usually via money wire to an offshore location – they may or may not “honor” their commitment. Again: anti-virus up to date, regular backups, file extensions displayed, and never click a link or open an email unless you are very, very sure what it is; and/or where you are going. You probably do thousands of clicks a month – it only takes one DUMB one to literally put you in a world of grief. Don’t be curious!
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The Big Con
The Big Con
First, the “sense of urgency”.
Are you available right now, I mean immediately? I have a situation that demands instant resolution. My documents must be notarized and faxed within the hour. The attorneys are, as we speak, waiting for the notarized documents. Very big money is at stake and I will pay for you to cancel any conflicting other jobs. I cannot go into great detail, time is of the essence. How long will it take you to get to my location, only three notary stamps are required. You can also triple your routine fee. You must agree, the situation is extremely urgent and demands your instantaneous response, at any cost.
Second, a smokescreen about details.
I ask the usual what, where and when, what ID he has; and does his ID match the name on the documents. We can go over all of that when you arrive. I need you to depart now to meet me at the FedEx (location given). Instinctively I perceive a nightmare not a dream assignment. I’m not going anywhere until I have more details. I press on for the details. Mixed in with exhortations about instant departure, some details are reluctantly provided. The job is for a deed and related documents. He only mentions that he has “positive ID”, and the notarized documents were drawn by his attorney and has his name.
Third, an odd New York Requirement
My caller mentions arriving in New York solely for getting the documents notarized. Arrival from Boston was only an hour ago. I am told a story that the document can only be notarized in New York City. Now my BS sensor is full scale. Unless I can be convinced that assertion is truthful, I have been told a lie. So, I ask why only in New York City. I am told it is a requirement of the seller of the Boston property. This makes no sense whatsoever. Still intrigued by the caller’s BS, I ask specifically what ID will be shown.
Finally, the big Con is Exposed
I know you are not going to be comfortable with this but the only ID I have with me is a photocopy of my passport! Just a second, I also have my credit card. I ask: am I to understand that you just flew in from Boston, passed airport security with a photocopy of a passport and credit card? Yes, I showed them the documents, and “due to the amounts involved” they accepted my passport copy at Boston airport. My credit card paid for the flight and that was enough for them. They were more sympathetic than you seem to be about my forgetting to bring my wallet with me when I went to the airport.
Well, I now fully understand the situation. It is totally unacceptable to notarize without the original government issued photo ID. Now for some hostility, though still speaking politely. What kind of a notary are you to refuse an urgent request? Not wanting to inflame my caller, I again stress that notaries are subject to regulations; the same as police and taxi drivers – “It would be illegal for me to proceed”.
That ended my involvement with what I perceived to be a Con. Two of the most “powerful” documents that we routinely handle are POAs and Deeds. But, I submit even the most humble of notarized items require full application of all requirements. A “low level” document is a letter of recommendation for the babysitter. Really? I think not. How would you feel being drawn into a situation where your notary work assisted a “monster” obtaining access to a child; and doing something improper? Terrible, of course. Thus, it follows that each time you sign and stamp there is a risk, but that risk can be managed. Wiser heads than mine have established regulations and guidelines for us to adhere to, without exception. It’s never trivial, each notary act is serious, has potential consequences; and must follow the law, to the letter.