Cryptowall Virus

Jarvis is investigating Cryptowall, as is the FBI. Experts say criminals infect computers with a virus called ransom-ware -- which basically kidnaps files and holds them hostage. Cryptowall has infected more than 800,000 computers worldwide since February - a quarter million in the United States. Already victims have paid out more than $1 million in ransom.

Cryptowall is infecting thousands more computers every month mostly by sending phishing emails that look real. You click on a link in the email, the virus crawls into your computer. Don't click on emails you aren't expecting and protect yourself by backing up files in a separate place.
Entire story at
http://6abc.com/technology/malware-locks-up-computer-files-until-ransom-paid/378494/