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I suggest reading Tom's excellent EE article on the subject:<br />
<a href="https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/18086/Ransomware-Prevention-is-the-only-solution.html" rel="ugc">Ransomware: Prevention is the only solution</a><br />
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In your case, note especially section <b>B. NETWORK SHARES</b>. Good luck! Regards, Joe
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I suggest reading Tom's excellent EE article on the subject:
Ransomware: Prevention is the only solution [https://www.experts-exchange.com/articles/18086/Ransomware-Prevention-is-the-only-solution.html]

In your case, note especially section B. NETWORK SHARES. Good luck! Regards, Joe

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Correction on my last comment. &nbsp;The link is actually to the download page for the utility. &nbsp;The artice about it that has the link is here: <a href="http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information" rel="ugc">http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information</a>
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Correction on my last comment.  The link is actually to the download page for the utility.  The artice about it that has the link is here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/cryptowall-ransomware-information]

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A workstation in my workgroup has been hit with Cryptowall, Files are encrypted and demanding ransom. I know that it is a lost cause. Format and reinstall scheduled, but &nbsp;the workstation has several mapped drives as do all of the workstations. How can I tell if the Crypto has spread to any other workstations or server and might be encrypting in the background or does it work that way?
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A workstation in my workgroup has been hit with Cryptowall, Files are encrypted and demanding ransom. I know that it is a lost cause. Format and reinstall scheduled, but  the workstation has several mapped drives as do all of the workstations. How can I tell if the Crypto has spread to any other workstations or server and might be encrypting in the background or does it work that way?

A workstation in my workgroup has been hit with Cryptowall.

Encryption is the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. In an encryption scheme, the intended communication information or message, referred to as plaintext, is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, generating ciphertext that can only be read if decrypted. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients, but not to unauthorized interceptors.

Encryption

Operating system security (OS security) is the process of ensuring OS integrity, confidentiality and availability. OS security refers to specified steps or measures used to protect the OS from threats, viruses, worms, malware or remote hacker intrusions. OS security encompasses all preventive-control techniques, which safeguard any computer assets capable of being stolen, edited or deleted if OS security is compromised, including authentication, passwords and threats to systems and programs.

OS Security

Network security consists of the policies adopted to prevent and monitor authorized access, misuse, modification, or denial of a computer network and network-accessible resources. Network security involves the authorization of access to data in a network, and covers a variety of computer networks; conducting transactions and communications among businesses, government agencies and individuals. Networks can be private, such as within a company, and others which might be open to public access.

Network Security

Security is the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, the software, and the information on them, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. The main goal of security is protecting assets, and an asset is anything of value and worthy of protection.  Information Security is a discipline of protecting information assets from threats through safeguards to achieve the objectives of confidentiality, integrity, and availability or CIA for short. On the other hand, disclosure, alteration, and disruption (DAD) compromise the security objectives.

Security

Windows 7 is an operating system from Microsoft. Features include multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements.