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Nurse from Greater Manchester Faces Ransomware Attack and Blackmail

Calendar Jun 01, 2006 • User Avatar Anthony Pell
1 min read
General Esm H446
Topics%20covered

Topics Covered

data breach cybercrime security incident ransomware internet fraud UK
A woman from Greater Manchester has become a victim of an internet scam in which hackers hijack computer files and blackmail owners to get them back. Helen Barrow, a 40-year-old nurse from Rochdale, is believed to be one of the first victims of the con in the UK. Criminals encrypt files with complex passwords, leaving a ransom note telling victims not to contact police.

Ms Barrow's note said that she would have to buy drugs from an online pharmacy to find out the password. The new phenomenon, known as Ransomware, means victims cannot access any of the files stored in their My Documents folder.