Ransomware poses
a threat to you and your device, but what makes
this form of malware so special? The word “ransom” tells you everything you need to know about this pest. Ransomware is blackmail software that can lock your
computer and then demand a ransom for its release.
In most cases, ransomware infection occurs as follows: The malware first gains access to the device. Depending on the type of ransomware, either the entire operating system or individual files
are encrypted.
A ransom is then
demanded from the victim. If you want
to minimize the risk of a ransomware attack, you should rely on high-quality ransomware protection software.
You can learn about
the best antivirus software (from
here)
Malware is a portmanteau of the words “malicious” and “software”. The term malware therefore covers all malicious software
that can be dangerous to your computer. This includes
viruses and Trojans.
When it comes to
protecting against ransomware, here we must apply
the principle “Prevention is
better than cure”. The watchful eye and the right security software are considered crucial.
Vulnerability
scans can also help you to find intruders in your system. First, it’s important to
make sure your computer is not an ideal target for ransomware. Device software should always be kept up to date in
order to benefit from the latest security patches.
In addition, careful action, especially with
regard to rogue websites and email attachments, is vital. But even the best preventive measures can fail, making it all the more essential to have a contingency
plan.
In the case of
ransomware, a contingency plan consists of having a
backup of your data. To learn how to
create a backup and what additional measures you can put in place to protect
your device; {you can read this article from
here).
The most
common ransomware infection routes include
visiting malicious websites, downloading
a malicious attachment or via unwanted add-ons during download. A single careless moment is enough to trigger to a
ransomware attack.
Since malware is
designed to remain undetected for as long as possible, it is difficult to identify an infection. A ransomware attack is most likely to be detected
by security software.
Obviously, changes to file extensions, increased CPU activity and other dubious activity on
your computer may indicate an infection.
When removing
ransomware, there are basically three options available
to you. The first is to pay the ransom, which is definitely not recommended. It is therefore best to try to remove the ransomware from your own computer. If this is not possible, only one step
remains: you will need to reset your computer to
factory settings.
As mentioned above, the threat posed by ransomware relies on the variant of
the virus. The first thing to consider is that there
are two main categories of ransomware: locker
ransomware and crypto ransomware. They can be
distinguished as follows:
: Locker ransomware – basic computer
functions are affected
: Crypto ransomware – individual files are encrypted
The type of
malware also makes a significant difference when it comes to identifying and
dealing with the ransomware. Within the two
main categories, distinctions are
made between numerous additional types of ransomware. These include, for example, Locky, WannaCry, and Bad
Rabbit.
Extorting computer
users in this way is not a 21st century invention. As early as 1989, a primitive
pioneer of ransomware was used. The first
concrete cases of ransomware were reported in Russia in 2005. Since then, ransomware has
spread all over the world, with new types continuing
to prove successful.
In 2011, a dramatic increase in ransomware attacks was observed. In the course of further attacks, manufacturers of antivirus software have increasingly
focused their virus scanners on ransomware, especially since
2016.
Regional
differences can often be seen in the various ransomware attacks. For example:
Incorrect messages
about unlicensed applications:
In some countries, Trojans notify the victim that unlicensed software is
installed on their computer. The message then
prompts the user to make a payment.
In countries where
illegal software downloads are common practice, this approach is
not particularly successful for cybercriminals. Instead, ransomware messages claim that they are from law
enforcement agencies and that child pornography or other illegal content has
been found on the victim’s computer. The message also
contains a demand for a penalty fee to be paid.
One of the largest
and most serious ransomware attacks took place in the spring of 2017 and was
called WannaCry. In the
course of the attack, approximately 200,000 victims from roughly 150 countries were asked to pay
a ransom in Bitcoin.
The Russia’s
Federal authority managed to dismantle the hacker group known as REvil, in a strong campaign targeting 14 of its members hiding
in five Russian regions, including the
capital, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, in addition to
confiscating the money seizing in several attacks, amounting to More than $600,000 worth of cryptocurrency.
Ransomware in all
its forms and variants poses a significant threat both
to private users and companies. This makes it all
the more important to keep an eye on the threat it poses and to be prepared for
all eventualities. So it is
essential to learn about ransomware, to be highly
conscious of how you use devices, and to install
the best security software.