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Computer infected and reset - Please resend commission info
10 years ago
General
TLDR - If you've commissioned me please send me your info again, as all my data has been lost!
So my computer was severely infected with ransomware.
For those that don't know, ransomware is an evil little trojan/malware that corrupts and encrypts every file possible on one's computer with an encryption key, and then puts about 4-5 links to a webpage in every single folder. This webpage demands payment of $500 in order to obtain the key and the ability to retrieve one's files. There is absolutely no way to recover anything without said key.
Beyond that, this virus (or a combination of it and others) was making my computer run absolutely terribly and unusably. I had to do a factory reset, erasing everything on my hard disk, and I lost a lot of stuff.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/vir.....re-information
(for those of you interested further)
I didn't lose everything though. I have an external hard drive where I have a lot of my older art backed up. I did have all my current art (a lot) saved on my C drive, and I would've lost it all if I didn't work in SAI predominantly. Thankfully, the ransomware couldn't parse out how to "infect" my SAI files, so those are intact completely, as I threw my art files onto my external drive before resetting. All my png, jpg, and photoshop files are corrupt however, as well as -everything- else.
I've no idea how this thing got on my computer, I'm extremely paranoid and I was running tons of malware/spyware/virus protection, I run noscript on firefox, I don't open emails... ever, and I don't browse shady sites. My guess is I opened an exe that I simply thought was safe, and that was the end.
On the plus side, it's really nice to have a fast-as-new computer again, and maybe what feels like a fresh start.
But yeah.. I've been a bit down and lost about a lot of things. I'd like to say that it was only because of the loss, but it's not true. Before this incident, I went on a trip with Grah to his hometown. While we had fun at times, and it was definitely a pleasant trip which I enjoyed being on with him greatly, the occassion was incredibly sad. Long story short, one of his family members is dying of cancer. Hard times.
Before that even, I've just been kind of lost about a lot of things. I wanted so badly to post art consistently here, and work on commissions. I wanted to talk to folks more, ever since New Year's, I made those resolutions in my journal to do just that. I wanted to make more journals explaining things, wanted to post to twitter, wanted to ALL the things. A lot of regrets.
I don't want to whine too much though. I want to make things right, but I may need some help.
First off, I did lose my commission list text file thingy, so I'm in the dark as to what I owe people, besides a vague idea. Please, if I owe you anything, or if I haven't been responsive in notes or -anything- like that, contact me again. I haven't been ignoring you or anything.
Second, I do want to make draws and post them, extremely much, but I've been so out of it. I don't know what I'm even asking here, I guess for understanding and help getting out of this. I'm loathe to promise that I'll make more journals, because look what happened last time I did that, but.. I really do want to. I'll try. Again, if I've been silent to anybody, I'm really sorry. It's not you.
Last, ransomware sucks. I hate it because it's so effective. Always back your shit up, in multiple places.
TLDR - If you've commissioned me please send me your info again, as all my data has been lost!
So my computer was severely infected with ransomware.
For those that don't know, ransomware is an evil little trojan/malware that corrupts and encrypts every file possible on one's computer with an encryption key, and then puts about 4-5 links to a webpage in every single folder. This webpage demands payment of $500 in order to obtain the key and the ability to retrieve one's files. There is absolutely no way to recover anything without said key.
Beyond that, this virus (or a combination of it and others) was making my computer run absolutely terribly and unusably. I had to do a factory reset, erasing everything on my hard disk, and I lost a lot of stuff.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/vir.....re-information
(for those of you interested further)
I didn't lose everything though. I have an external hard drive where I have a lot of my older art backed up. I did have all my current art (a lot) saved on my C drive, and I would've lost it all if I didn't work in SAI predominantly. Thankfully, the ransomware couldn't parse out how to "infect" my SAI files, so those are intact completely, as I threw my art files onto my external drive before resetting. All my png, jpg, and photoshop files are corrupt however, as well as -everything- else.
I've no idea how this thing got on my computer, I'm extremely paranoid and I was running tons of malware/spyware/virus protection, I run noscript on firefox, I don't open emails... ever, and I don't browse shady sites. My guess is I opened an exe that I simply thought was safe, and that was the end.
On the plus side, it's really nice to have a fast-as-new computer again, and maybe what feels like a fresh start.
But yeah.. I've been a bit down and lost about a lot of things. I'd like to say that it was only because of the loss, but it's not true. Before this incident, I went on a trip with Grah to his hometown. While we had fun at times, and it was definitely a pleasant trip which I enjoyed being on with him greatly, the occassion was incredibly sad. Long story short, one of his family members is dying of cancer. Hard times.
Before that even, I've just been kind of lost about a lot of things. I wanted so badly to post art consistently here, and work on commissions. I wanted to talk to folks more, ever since New Year's, I made those resolutions in my journal to do just that. I wanted to make more journals explaining things, wanted to post to twitter, wanted to ALL the things. A lot of regrets.
I don't want to whine too much though. I want to make things right, but I may need some help.
First off, I did lose my commission list text file thingy, so I'm in the dark as to what I owe people, besides a vague idea. Please, if I owe you anything, or if I haven't been responsive in notes or -anything- like that, contact me again. I haven't been ignoring you or anything.
Second, I do want to make draws and post them, extremely much, but I've been so out of it. I don't know what I'm even asking here, I guess for understanding and help getting out of this. I'm loathe to promise that I'll make more journals, because look what happened last time I did that, but.. I really do want to. I'll try. Again, if I've been silent to anybody, I'm really sorry. It's not you.
Last, ransomware sucks. I hate it because it's so effective. Always back your shit up, in multiple places.
TLDR - If you've commissioned me please send me your info again, as all my data has been lost!
Sorry to hear you've been having troubles with other aspects too :c It can really take a toll when so many negative things/troubles are piled on top of each other. I hope that you'll feel better and that things will start to work out better soon!
But good news, I did have to reformat like I said, but my computer is completely clean and running just fine now, and I have 95% of my art intact, so -major- crisis averted. Thanks for caring though, I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things, both drawing more and talking to folks, including you. My mind's been in such a weird state lately. Send me a note sometime so we might be able to talk on messenger, or I can send you one.
I'm feeling tfey/inspired at least again, wanting to capitalize on that. Hope you are too~
That poor computer though. At least it doesn't freeze during youtube videos any more.
2. :/ Viruses suck.
3. There was that TF pic I commissioned from you. You had the lines and background done, was just waiting for it to be colored. If you need the image again, I have it saved. :)
;.; But seriously, take care of yourself.