Things seem to get worse, not better. Ransomware is now the most common form of malware.

Now ransomware will lock your OS, as well as hold your data for ransom, bricking your computer unless you pay.

"In the space of a year, ransomware appears to have evolved on from the simple but effective strategy of locking down the files of infected targets until they pay a ransom, to incorporating additional malicious elements, such as stealing personal or financial data from the victim's system...Now cybersecurity researchers warn that new ransomware features could make life even worse for victims. Rather than just encrypting key files, ransomware could soon infect a computer to such an extent that the only two options available to the user would be to pay, or to lose access to the entire system.

According to the Malwarebytes Stateof Malware Report 2017, we're likely to see more variants of this type of ransomware, which is designed to modify the infected computer's Master Boot Record, the part of the system which controls the ability to boot into the operating system.

Once modified in this way using malicious code, the system will boot into a lock screen set up by the malware, demanding payment not only to decrypt files but also to restore access to the main operating system. The inability to do anything with the system aside from viewing the ransomware note will only give victims two options: pay up, or have their system wiped completely. It's likely to make ransomware an even more appealing avenue of attack for cybercriminals." - ZDNet

This is noteworthy, as well:

"The attacks against Western targets might not surprise. They are the countries with the most access to technology, and there's also the potential that these states are being targeted for political reasons. The researchers points out that many cybercriminal syndicates work out of Eastern Europe.

"A country that seems to be missing from this list is Russia. This isn't because Russian citizens have a firm grasp on computer security. Rather, it's an indicator that Russian ransomware developers might shy away from targeting their own," the report says." - ibid

I recommend reading the linked article.

I do not recommend paying these criminals because nothing assures you that they won't leave the malware on your computer for subsequent activation. Certainly, never pay by credit card, if you decide to pay despite this warning. After all, are these the people to trust with such info? In the end, it might just be cheaper to buy a new computer.

I also recommend taking the steps necessary to foil or recover from ransomware attacks outlined in my prior articles.

Source:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-is-about-to-get-a-lot-worse-by-holding-your-operating-system-hostage/#ftag=CAD-04-10aag0g&bhid=22934121128163694730898056497463