The fake website which infects your computer after opening a link in the scam email.

A client was recently caught by an email pretending to be from the NSW Office of State Revenue chasing a speeding fine. The email contains a link to a website which mimics the look of the OSR’s website but which downloads and opens a file on your computer containing a virus. This virus will then encrypt your files and display a message demanding payment.

The virus will infect all drives connected to your computer and any network drives which have their own drive letter allocated. It is therefore important that you disconnect your computer from the network if you believe you are infected to minimise the damage caused.

The only way to fix the problem is to remove the virus and restore your files from a backup. Reportedly, paying the ransom will also unlock your files – but who wants to finance criminals who locked you out of your data in the first place?You can avoid being infected by immediately deleting the email and not clicking any links it contains when you receive it. The NSW Office of State Revenue has stated it does not issue fines via email so any email claiming to be a fine from them is a scam.