"We only lose what we don't backup."
Some folk won't accept this until they lose it all. Some lose again and a few lose it many times before they learn. There's that.
-> But here's a few ugly truths. Some will install a fix, shield and then melt down because it didn't work. Why didn't it work? Because the moment this shield is installed and out in the wild, the bad folk are working on how to get around it.
What saves us is that we don't install or run everything from the web we find.
If you think it's bad, you're not seeing the big picture as it's worse than that. We used to trust download sites but now they bundle malware or worse. Read http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/
That's as bad as CryptoLocker for some folk. They end up at service counters or buying a new PC. Some are so put off by this they get an iPad.
Bob
I've been reading about cryptolocking malware, and what can be done, if anything, after an infection. As far as preventing it in the first place, in addition to practicing safe internet practices, it doesn't seem like there's much available. I read about a program called "CryptoPrevent", available as freeware or a paid version. Does anyone have an opinion on how well this works, and if it is safe and practical for an average, self-taught Windows 8 user (me) to handle?

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