Really sorry to hear all this, Mark. Sounds like the bad guys have you surrounded. I know you made backups, so you'll know what was stolen. Try to be as proactive as you can be to try to anticipate where they might take advantage. The rest...try not to feel too bad. It could happen to anyone. I'm sure you did as best as you could to prevent it...I could only suggest using a guest account to do your browsing, etc. but you probably did that, as well. I use my VPN all the time, and screw any website that doesn't like it. Restoring it all is a PITA, to be sure...sorry you went through all that. That assault thing sounds crazy. Holding good thoughts for you.

He's in Tasmania ....a place where I was born however have never been to...

Mark...you must have sworn at a nun in a previous life....

It seems if anything bad can happen, it happens to Mark. I'm very disheartened to hear about this latest travesty, Mark. You're a decent guy and don't deserve this crap. Even though my rig is much older than most (I built it when the CPU, an Intel i-2600k, was first released), I've been thinking about updating my security apps and system with it due to fear of what has happened to you somehow happening to me. Maybe now is the time to do it. I'm really sorry you have had to experience this calamity. For the life of me, I don't understand why somebody would want anyone's documents. It isn't like you're a spy or anything nefarious. Wait a sec. Are you? Is this loveable, wacky, crazy, Aussie act a charade? Anyway, Mark, I hope you get things back on track and get back to what you do best (whatever that is) very soon. You're a good guy, one of few on here I'd like to actually meet. You don't deserve this crap happening to you. 

No, but I once cursed a monk who denounced my relationship with a nun.     

He reckoned they were called nuns cos they're supposed to get none.    

Seriously, though, I just happened to be on the wrong end of a nasty, nasty scheme to fleece people of their identities and money.

A lot of people keep logins and passwords in their documents folder, along with other personal details and correspondence, so yeah, it's often a primary target when getting hacked.  Oh, and I'm not a spy, lol.  No, I'd stick out like a sore thumb.... or as some might say, stick out like dogs balls.

BTW, thanks for the best wishes, they are much appreciated.  I'd like to meet some people on here as well, and you would be one of them, along with Jafo, JanOscar and Fuzzy Logic.  There are others but far too many to mention here right now.

 I still have a few relatives there in the Torbay area but have lost touch with most of them over the years.  As for friends, there may still be some there but quite a few have passed on, or have moved without sending new contact details.

I'd like to revisit Devon as I've not been there in over 50 years, but I don't know that I can due to various health issues.... gathering the funds to be able to afford it.  I might be able to track down some old friends but I'd be more interested in the area and how it has changed since the 60's.... especially the village I used to live in, Churston, just outside of Brixham.

 No, I don't Think so.  I just know that scammers somehow managed to steal my personal data.  A bit later today, after a doctors appointment, and I know what spare funds I have, I will purchase an anti-virus, anti-malware program to counter ransomware and other atrocities that should never exist.

And thanks very much for the best wishes, I appreciate them a lot.   

IObit AntiMalware.  However, I will trial the apps you have suggested to me and see how they go.

Thanks for the tips.  

You were only running an Anti Malware Program. All of the programs i have listed should improve your future situation 10 fold. When you install Zone Alarm Free Firewall, during it's setup, make sure you tick the box for Full Control, this way at first you will see pop ups telling you what program is dialling home, allowing you to get to know how it works, when you trust a program tick remember in the pop up box and you will not see pop ups anymore.

Avast Free Anti Virus

This uses shields to protect you and you can choose at set up (or later) which shields work best for you in how you use your PC, keep using IObit AntiMalware as you need a full suite of the big 3 Firewall, Anti Virus and Anti Spy.

Quoting Jafo,

reply 10

Cybereason Ransom Free ....if it's still around....it's still functioning fine on my machine...along with Kaspersky...

I've been thinking of using Kaspersky for a while now, perhaps now is the time to try it.  As for CyberReason Ransom Free, I couldn't see it anywhere on their site; however, it was just a quick look and I shall go back later to investigate further.

I have used Avast in the past and found it to be not as effective over time so I switched to IOBit Antivirus, which has since expired.  I will probably go with Kaspersky this time around but will look at the additional firewall to go with the Windows one.

Yeah, will be going with Kaspersky this time... and I will set up a guest account shortly.  I had one before, but after wiping the drive and a clean install of Windows I will need to set up another one.  I've just been so busy fixing other issues caused by the hack that I've not done it as yet.  However, I shall attend to that momentarily.

I can well imagine. Wishing you far better luck this time, Mark.

Tsk, tsk Jafo. KIS and tell?   

I know for myself if i am aware something is going on, I disconnect from internet and start trying to resolve the issue. Disconnecting will stop their dirty work right then.  Sorry to hear you had this issue, Seems you have things well in hand now.

Thanks for that, Doc ...I was looking for a link for it a while back...

The way it works is to add its own folders and potential target files...eg doc, docx etc at the front/rear of every hard drive attached...and watches them for attack....blocking the system from net-nasty access instantly and before real files are affected....

And it works...I've never been attacked...bit like..."What's that you're spraying on you?" "Elephant repellent"  "There are no elephants in Melbourne" "See? it works!"

In American English, the noun is spelled the same as the verb—license. But in British English, the noun is spelled licence. All the while, the meaning stays the same—permission, a permit, a document that states you are qualified or allowed to do something.

Depends how often you're frequenting Pommie-land sites etc...you get back into the habit...

Doc....as far as I'm aware it's still functioning as designed....tho without an attack you can't really tell....