Ransomware scams increasing

[digidog]

It's becoming easier to accidentally download ransomeware -- some nasty software which encrypts all of your files then demands a ransom be paid in bitcoins for an unlock code. While this scam is no longer new, volumes are increasing hugely to become 18% of total spam, as this Trustwave post confirms.

The most common delivery method nowadays is via javascript attachments. So keep your anti-virus software up to date, keep regular backups of important files, avoid .js attachments like the plague and be careful with any MS Office documents received from untrusted sources.