BE CAREFUL WITH WINDOWS 10 !!!! IT MAY LAND YOU IN TROUBLE'S.

Beware: A Dangerous Windows 10 Ransomware Scam Is Spreading Online with Windows 10 !!!!!!!

A Windows 10 Ransomware scam has been reported by Cisco security blog. This phishing scam sends fake emails that look just like ones from Microsoft, encouraging the users to download a .zip file for Windows 10 installation.
Windows 10 is now released and people are installing it on their PCs in huge numbers. According to the media reports, more than 67 million people have installed Windows 10 on their PCs. For those who were left behind in the upgrade process, Microsoft even decided to help them out with Windows 10 media creation tool. Unfortunately, scammers are taking the advantage of the desperation of Windows users- that has resulted in a newly reported Windows 10 ransomware scam.

How does this Windows 10 Ransomware target users?

According to the Cisco’s security team, they have found a new scamming campaign that spreads CTB-Locker ransomware. This trouble comes in the form of a fake Microsoft email, telling Windows users that their Windows 10download is ready.
These messages in Windows 10 ransomware scam mimic the emails sent by Microsoft, along with some text mistakes and changes. However, scammers have managed to spoof the address of origin as update@microsoft.com. To make the messages look more authentic, attackers are using the same color scheme used by Microsoft to fool the users. Thus, these emails look more legitimate.

The mail is also coupled with a Microsoft disclaimer and a message that files are virus-free. The origin of these emails has been traced back to Thailand.

This is what will happen if you run the CTB-Locker file?

Falling into this Windows 10 Ransomware trap, users download the .zip attachment. After extracting the files and run the executable program, your computer will be immediately locked by CTB-Locker ransomware. This ransomware tells the users to submit the payment within 96 hours, and failing to do so will result in the permanent encryption of PC files.

                         CTB-Locker uses elliptical curve encryption which provides same private/public key encryption with a different kind of algorithm. This new algorithm results in lower overhead and same security at a smaller key space.

Cisco’s security blog has written that this Windows 10 ransomware threat will increase until the attackers find new ways to monetize the compromised PCs. It advises the users to store their data as an offline backup. This Windows 10 ransomware phishing attack shows that such launches and events are targeted to trap users.

WINDOWS 10 also diables pirated games and unauthorised softwares !!! 

According to the Microsoft’s new Services Terms effective August 1st, Microsoft can stop you from using unauthorized hardware or from playing counterfeit games. Microsoft services such as Office 365, Outlook.com, Skype, OneDrive, Xbox Live, MSN, and Bing are also covered by the new services terms.

The terms are also applicable to software using a Microsoft account, which would mean that it would also have an effect on most Windows 10 users. Majority of the users use Microsoft’s latest OS with an account from the Redmond company, even though when they have an option to use it without an account.

Microsoft now clearly states in the terms that the updates released could have some serious effects. In the terms, the company states it might, “download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices.”

Further, there is no clarity on what the company means when it says unauthorized hardware peripheral devices. It could mean that the company may disable e.g. Xbox controllers that are uncertified by Microsoft. There is more clarity on counterfeit games, as this is pirated software.

Non Windows 10 users could fall prey to these new terms. The Microsoft’s new terms are also applicable to updates to Skype, OneDrive app, OneNote app, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Games, Windows Live Mail, Maps, and Windows Movie Maker.

There has a lot of murmuring and talks hovering over the privacy settings of Windows 10 from the time of its release. For instance, when the operating system is installed, it uses the default express settings, which according to some users contain some settings regarded as privacy concerns, such as the use of Cortana, the use of a Microsoft account, automatic updates, and the accumulating of telemetry and privacy by Microsoft.

SOLUTION: 

So what can you do to enjoy the advantages of Windows 10 without giving away too much of your information? Here are some tips to help you protect your details.

Installation options

If you’re yet to install Windows 10 you’re probably keen to get started, but don’t just accept the Express Settings option in a bid to be up and running as soon as possible. The Express option allows the OS to share speech, typing, contacts, calendar, and location data and advertising ID information to Microsoft and its partners.

If you choose the Custom install option you can turn most of these off to guard your privacy. These can also be turned off later from Settings, Privacy, General.

Stop Sharing Updates

As we pointed out last week Windows 10 will try to use your network connection to share updates with other systems. This uses a P2P-type system called Windows Update Delivery Optimization (WUDO). To stop this open up Settings and click Update & Security. In the Windows Update section on the left select Advanced optionsand click Choose how updates are delivered.

You can switch off WUDO by flicking the toggle switch to the Off position. Or if you have other PCs on your network you can continue to share updates with these but not with the outside 

world by leaving this toggle in the On position and selecting PCs on my local network.

Cutting Feedback

If your system or a piece of software you’re running crashes, the OS will send diagnostic data back to the software vendor. There’s a risk that these could include memory dumps which contain personally identifiable data.

You can’t stop Windows sending these reports but you can reduce the amount sent by going to Feedback & diagnostics from Privacy settings and changing the Diagnostic and usage data drop-down to Basic.

Taming Cortana

Windows 10’s digital assistant might look nice and friendly, but in order to be responsive to your needs it uses machine learning.

This means Cortana can snoop into your emails and contacts, if you’d rather it didn’t do this turn the assistant off. To do this go to Settings and select Privacy, Speech, Inking & typing and then click the Stop getting to know me button.

Keep It Local

Microsoft is very keen to get you to sign in using a Microsoft ID so that you can synchronise information with other machines, but doing this means some of your details will be stored in Microsoft’s cloud.

It is still possible to use a local ID to access Windows 10 but in order to do so you need to have your internet disconnected during installation up to the point where you’re prompted to create a Microsoft account.

Limiting Account Information Sharing

By default Windows 10 will happily share some of your account details, including your picture and your name, with third-party apps. You can stop this from happening in the Account Info section of Privacy settings.

This is written just for the acknowledgement of the readers from an inspired source but not to hurt anyone . So i'm not responsible for any legalities. 

                                                                                                                       Bhaskar.