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For the past couple of years the world has been subjected to computer attacks that encrypt files, then attempt to extort money from the user in order to decrypt the files.  The encryption used cannot effectively be cracked.  If your computer has been thus infected, you have little recourse.  Paying the ransom is no guarantee that the files will be decrypted, and there may be residual bits after decryption that could cause problems in the future.  It’s like herpes- the symptoms can disappear for long periods, but the infection is still there.  Recovering from such an attack generally requires reinstalling the operating system.  One way to mitigate the damage is to maintain a backup that is updated frequently.  The OS might still need to be reinstalled, but at least you will have access to all of your files.  It is a good idea to use a backup application that can save versions.  Because the cryptolocker malware goes about its business encrypting files for some time before it lets you know it is there.  During this time it is possible to back up the encrypted files.  If you don’t have versions, backed up files could become corrupted and unusable.  Apple’s Time Machine and Microsoft’s File History are good backup applications.