That is distressing! I thought ransomware was focused more on companies as opposed to individuals. I wonder if something like that can be/should be filed with the police? Especially in larger urban areas where they may have a unit for internet crime.

I found this website that may be of some help....

ransomware article

Our PC was also recently hit by Ransomware also from just clicking along online. Internet explorer froze, but other programs/browser worked fine. After doing a forced shut down and restarting, we ran Malwarebytes antivirus and the CCleaner which found nothing.

There are several websites that have very good directions on how to address this. Nothing too difficult unless the entire machine is non-functioning. I expect that your son will have it up and running in no time.

Geez lukkiirish, that website was all Greek to me. I hope I never get a Ransomware.

Apparently, ransomware is not a virus. I have antivirus, it did not shield me from the ransomware.

Always stop and breathe if you have this happen do not panic and start clicking on the screen, that is exactly what they want to happen and also never call the numbers. If on a pc hit control alt delete and go to applications and end task on all the open apps shown. This will close the browser safely with out clicking on anything. The problem with clicking any where including the x to close can be linked to an install instruction rather than what you think it is.

Run an updated malwarebytes scan and your antivirus program scan as well as a good online antivirus scan like this bitdefender free scanner

http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html

Right now there are several fake ransomeware drive bys happening. just going to a legit webpage that has a nefarious ad link it it can trigger it, but NOTHING happens to your computer till you start clicking on something or calling the numbers. Do control alt delete or shut down the computer. It can be very scary especially with the ones that have audio and start alerting you loudly and in a very scary way that you are infected or worse.

If you get a true ransomeware that is a different animal and in most cases will take a complete re install of the operating system and loss of all your files, unless of course you are very smart and keep an image update of your current system, then you just reinstall from your image.

apple is not hit as often but it does happen this is an example

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8071

https://blog.kaspersky.com/ransomware_targets_ios_osx/

https://blog.malwarebytes.org/fraud-scam/2013/07/fbi-ransomware-now-targeting-apples-mac-os-x-users/

There a very few true computer viruses anymore. Most malware (malicious software) comes in other forms like Trojans, worms, adware, ransomware, etc.

Which antivirus do you have? Not all of them offer the same level of protection. Some only protect against more traditional viruses and Trojans, some really stay on top of the latest malware and offer protection from them.

With windows 10 just coming out they, the bad guys, are using that to try to sucker people in to infecting their systems with ransomware so beware if you see this scam!

http://www.securityweek.com/fake-windows-10-upgrade-emails-hide-ransomware

Also be absolutely sure you keep all your java, adobe, and all flash updated as soon as a new update is issued. In most cases that is how these exploits are affecting your computer. I have personally removed java from all of my computers and not missed it.

I got Malwarebytes, Bitdefender and Traffic Light, thanks to all for the suggestions.

I looked at my applications and do not think I have Java.

If you have a smart phone like an iPhone, make sure you get malwarebytes for it as well.

I've been running it on my Android device and it just recently gave me a notification of an exploit targeting mobile devices with mms auto downloaded. It also gave instructions on how to disable the auto download so it really does come in handy, not only for finding malware but also alerting you to potential threats and warning how to guard against them.

Flash has had a very recent critical update issued so make sure you do it for all the browsers on your computer there's one for IE and a non IE version for Firefox etc, you must do both even if you don't use it, if you have it on the computer do it. I will link to Corrine's blog with the information and links. I check it weekly for those kinds of updates. Security garden link

I also use malwarebytes on all android devices and install it on all the tablets I set up for people. It recently found an exploit on a friend's tablet.

Lucille, cudos for getting traffic light add on for your browser, that's an additional layer of defense and it's free! Traffic light add on