Has your own computer or computer system at your workplace ?

[Pongthep Miankaew]

Has your own computer or computer system at your workplace been attacked by a virus/malware? Briefly explain the causes,
– where did the virus/malware come from?
– What happened to your computer or computer system?
– How to prevent virus/malware attacks again?

[Auswin Rojanasumapong]

My old workplace PCs use to infect with a virus that would rename, hide files and generate shortcuts mimic the original files in the removable storage (such as USB drive, external HDD) that trigger the .exe files that install the virus to the PCs. The virus then tries to do this with other removable storage in order to duplicate to other devices.

What I know about this virus is that it duplicates itself and tries to spread via removable storage. While the original file is still kept, the user must know how to unhide the files and back up to a safer non-infected storage device.

To prevent this virus, the IT installed the app that prevents the Autorun process in order to prevent the device to run the .exe virus automatically. For me, since I know how this virus works, when I browse the removable storage I have a habit that I always avoid double-clicking the drive directly to prevent triggering the Autorun process and use right-click to expand or open the storage.

[Pongthep Miankaew]

Yes, absolutely. Disabling the autorun is a good option because viruses and malwares can exploit it by spreading a virus from your external device to other computers.

Thanks for sharing,
Pongthep

[Navin Prasai]

I have experienced a couple of times virus attacks on both the computers at home and the workplace. While working at home it is mainly connecting a USB drive to my home computer. I could see the file copied from the USB drive but was not able to open it and even it affected the hardware. The issues were resolved after the installation of the anti-virus software and scanned the USB drive before assessing the file.
At my previous workplace, I used to receive many unknown mails for which an IT expert was consulted. Later, I came to know that those were malware and I was advised for a new strong password.

[Pongthep Miankaew]

USB is what caused the spread of the virus. However, there are many ways for us to protect our computers and data. Install anti-virus software and update it regularly. This allows the software to recognize new viruses and prevent them.
In terms of email virus protection, It depends on the security system that the IT set up for, however, it is important that not to open emails sent from unknown people or with deceptive subjects.

Thanks for sharing,
Pongthep

[TARO KITA]

Thanks to a well-functioning IT department, we did not experience any serious issues with computer virus or malware. There were strict rules and guidance regarding the use of computers connected to the organization’s network. Password setting requirements were high, users were required to change password on a regular basis, and the IT department regularly sent fake emails to all staff members to check if users were properly dealing with unknown emails with attachments.

[Pongthep Miankaew]

Your IT team is great.
Thank you,
Pongthep

[Karina Dian Lestari]

I had experienced it several times on my personal computer, and it is because I transfer data through USB drive. The files were copying themself. I had to bring it to the service center because I do not know how clear the virus/malware. Because of the incidences, I avoid sharing files through USB drive and prefer to share files by email or google drive link. Thankfully, the IT system in my workplace is quite robust so I never had experienced it on my office computer.

[Auswin Rojanasumapong]

I am always precautious about other’s external storage devices when connecting to my personal computer. Sending files with other methods (e.g. email, messenger apps, Bluetooth) can avoid this virus, but if I suspect that the file is a virus itself, I need to scan it with an antivirus before opening it.

[Pimthong Sinchai]

Yes, of course. A long time ago, My computer has been attacked by a virus. I got a link from some friend on Facebook, I have no idea what is that, but I decided to click it. The new tap has shown up and I can see an only black screen. I have tried to close it but it did not work. Then, my computer has no responded, and that tab pop up the ghost picture. It make my heart attacked, I rapidly close the computer and bring the battery out. After that, I never open the link from unknown people and recheck the name of the link before I click, to avoid the virus or something like this happen again.

Thank you

[Ashaya.i]

My personal computer has been attacked by a virus, a long time ago. I don’t know what exactly where it from, it might come from USB flash drive, program downloading and I don’t keep antivirus program up to date. What happen is every files in my computer has been locked, I can’t access to any file. Therefore, I must always update antivirus program all the time and do not download unnecessary external program or download program from reliable sources.

[chanapong]

The computer at my workplace was attacked with ransomware from using the internet. It is not known how the ransomware attack this computer. It caused the data in it cannot be accessible and have to pay some money to unlock it. Fortunately, there was no important information and there was a backup on another computer. The countermeasure of this issue is to have a backup plan and proper antimalware software.

[Anawat ratchatorn]

I agree that the best way to prevent negative events is backing-up data.

[Tossapol Prapassaro]

Yes, I had. A couple of years ago, my flash drive had been infected by a virus that hides all my essential files. So, I cannot see all the files. After that, I had to google how to recover the file, and they taught me how to do it step by step. Finally, I can recover all files that had been hidden. For prevention, I should be careful to use a flash drive to the computer that I can trust, not operate with the public computer, and install anti-virus to check the flash drive before opening it.

[Anawat ratchatorn]

About a year ago, I was working for an IT start-up company at that time.
We were attacked by ransomeware locking and hiding our important and hacker asked us to pay with amount of Bitcoin. I had no idea where the ransomeware came form.
Fortunately, our company had backed-up this data before we got attack, so we don’t have to pay for them.

For this kind of threat, ransomware, I think that the most important thing to do to prevent them is to back-up data regularly and frequently.

[Sri Budi Fajariyan]

several years ago, the information system in my office was attacked by ransomware, but the data is still safe and then we changed the URL to https

[Taksin Ukkahad]

Several years ago, my laptop was infected from computer virus. More than hundreds important files were disappeared, encrypted as well as my computer system seem worked slowly than the prior. This event suspected from infected USB which connected from the infected university computer. With the help of IT specialist, the data was resumed and let me know that I need to back-up regularly and should evaluate risk of viral infection from any computer before USB drive insertion to prevent 2nd time attack.

Taksin U.

[Weerada Trongtranonth]

I used to experienced with malware becasus at the time that USB is very popular. When I transfer the files, My laptop got infected and the files and documents were gone. The best way to prevent this situation is always Backup your important files.

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