Have I missed the banter but back on line at last.......

[iamkwackers]

Not posted on the forum since before my Harz Mountain Tour, and I promised pictures etc.....well, sorry no pics because shortly after arriving back and downloading them to my computer I had a software attack. I was literally being held to ransom....either transfer my bank details or have my software wiped.....It seems this tricky and nasty bit of malware got into my system via a trusted site download which had also been infected.
Needless to say I deleted the ransom email and following that my software was wiped clean. I lost all my files. photos, contacts, touring routes and my operating system was not accessible. I wiped my main hard drive clean and reinstalled windows and then started the very long process of rebuilding the system with printer drivers, and all the other background stuff that we take for granted when the system is up and working. I still have a long way to go in terms of replacing all my touring club information and the routes and biker friendly places to stay, but by the inch it's a cinch and by the yard it's hard, so slowly getting there.
Sorry I cannot post the promised piccies, but there will be other tours and memories to share......go careful with your downloads folks, it has been a nightmare for the last couple of months, but hey ho I am back and it feels right good      

[O.C.]

Sorry to hear of your attack, dont worry about the pics, we'll have to use our imagination

Maybe an investment in an external hard drive for back up ?

[virginiajim]

That wouldn't have helped, unfortunately.  Ransomware goes out to all the known file types (where ever they may be) living in your PC.  You're truly f :censored:d.  I use this software for protection against Ransomware:  https://www.foolishit.com/cryptoprevent-malware-prevention/ .    And then use this software to back up my files:  http://www.aomeitech.com/ .    The backup software saves your files in a different format so the ransomeware can't affect it.

[moayling]

Welcome back Syd. You just have to put a shilling in the meter. Glad that your'e gradually getting it sorted

[iamkwackers]

That wouldn't have helped, unfortunately.  Ransomware goes out to all the known file types (where ever they may be) living in your PC.  You're truly f :censored:d.  I use this software for protection against Ransomware:  https://www.foolishit.com/cryptoprevent-malware-prevention/ .    And then use this software to back up my files:  http://www.aomeitech.com/ .    The backup software saves your files in a different format so the ransomeware can't affect it.

Thanks for the info Jim, looks like the way to go. It is not until something like this happens that you realise just how much you have stored on the PC.