Ransomware

I have used Photoshop professionally for so long, any other product is a poor relation, GIMP is the best alternative IMO, but still not as good as PS.

You do not need to get Photoshop, which is indeed fiendishly expensive, because Paintshop Pro is a free download which performs all the basic Photoshop functions and is more than adequate for non-professional use.

My backup is a memory stick.

Wobbley so glad to see that you have returned to the land of the living!

Hi GD, My Desktop runs XP, it has an old version of Photoshop, which I use a lot. It would cost me a fortune to buy a new version for W10.

Hi wobbly glad to see you posting again and thank you for the information. I have a laptop running Windows XP, but rarely use it, being surgically attached to my iPad. It behoves us all to be vigilant though, as you say, so I have copied your links. Hope you are well.

Updated both my Windows XP PC's today, only took a few minutes.

Thanks wobbly. Why don't you pop into the kitchen for a quick hello. We have been wondering how you and Mrs P are.

Thank you wb. How are you? As ann says, you have been missed.

Thank you wb for that info. It doesn't affect me but it will some, so thank you on their behalf and a warm welcome back.
I hope you and your wife are well, you have been missed.

I'm sure everyone is aware of the recent Ransom Ware attacks on computer systems world wide. This attack affected older systems using the outdated Windows XP system which has not been supported for 2 years. However some of you may still have computers running Windows XP ( I have two). In an unprecedented move Microsoft have issued a manual security update to Windows XP. You should download and install this on any Windows XP computer asap.

blogs.technet.microsoft.com/msrc/2017/05/12/customer-guidance-for-wannacrypt-attacks/

I always backup my data to an external disk for I have heard that the ransomware can even damage the shadow copies. It is really terrible.

As I originally said. your backup needs to be on a separate system or the cloud. ATM drives that are separate and not permanently connected are the only safe option. If you get attacked a few of your most recent files may be affected, but the majority should be ok. BUT, be aware that attackers will be looking for ways to locate backups.

There is little more that you can do other than be cautious.

Ransomware is very nasty. However, backing up your files may not be good enough as most ransomware looks for file back-up extensions too. Have a look at the attached link which puts it rather better than I can.
www.pcworld.com/article/3056907/security/how-to-stop-ransomware-backup-can-protect-you-but-only-if-you-do-it-right.html

Photos are the biggest problem for many, as with digital, all one's photos are stored on a computer, unless they have been saved elsewhere, CD, DVD,cloud etc, they are at risk. I would be devastated if I lost all my photos.

I saw it on TV this evening, frightening.

Luckily I am no longer working so I have no reports or HMRC details stored. If I lost everything it would be an inconvenience as would losing photos but for me it would not be the end of the world but I do not intend for it to happen.

Thanks for the reminder.