• A new virus affecting Australian computers is using the the theme and logo from Breaking Bad fictional restaurant Los Pollos Hermanos to carry out ‘ransomware’ attacks.
• Those who are infected with the virus, dubbed Trojan. Cryptlocker. S, are greeted with a ‘Los Pollos Hermanos’ screen in which they’re advised that their files (photos, videos and documents etc) have been encrypted.
• In order to have their files decrypted, users are directed to another screen which instructs them on how to pay the $450 ‘ransom’ through Bitcoin.
• ‘Ransomware’ attacks involve hackers holding data and sometimes operating systems to ransom in exchange for payment, and are becoming increasingly common.
• Symantec has advised that the virus is activated by the execution of a ‘PENALTY. VBS’ file which arrives in a malicious zip archive.
• Symantec also advises that Mac users need not worry as the Trojan is directed at Windows users.
• Los Pollos Hermanos is a fictional fast food chain that appears regularly in Breaking Bad.

Read more:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/a-new-ransomware-virus-is-attempting-to-extort-aussie-victims-in-the-name-of-breaking-bad/story-fnjwnfzw-1227352701813

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-11/new-computer-ransomware-encrypts-files-asks-for-up-to-1000/6461606

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3077610/Hackers-use-Breaking-Bad-scam-users-Ransomware-uses-Los-Pollos-Hermanos-themed-threats-extort-money.html

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