Ransomware Malware

A well-known form of malware, ransomware ruthlessly holds a computer’s data for ransom via encryption. If the user doesn’t pay the cybercriminal a certain amount of money within a certain amount of time, their data will be lost forever.

In this particular case, WannaCry demands that users pay a $300 ransom in bitcoin. If the user does not pay within three days, the amount will be doubled. If payment is not made within a week, the files will be deleted.

To help prevent ransomware attacks, follow these ransomware tips:

1. New ransomware variants appear on a regular basis. Always keep your security software up to date to protect yourself against them.
2. Keep your operating system and other software updated. Software updates will frequently include patches for newly discovered security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by ransomware attackers.
3. Email is one of the main infection methods. Be wary of unexpected emails, especially if they contain links and/or attachments.
4. Be especially wary of any Microsoft Office email attachment that advises you to enable macros to view its content. Unless you are absolutely sure that this is a genuine email from a trusted source, do not enable macros and instead immediately delete the email.
5. Backing up important data is the single most effective way of combating ransomware infection.Attackers have leverage over their victims by encrypting valuable files and leaving them inaccessible. If the victim has backup copies, they can restore their files once the infection has been cleaned up. However, organizations should ensure that backups are appropriately protected or stored offline so that attackers can’t delete them.
6. Using cloud services could help mitigate ransomware infection, since many retain previous versions of files, allowing you to “roll back” to the unencrypted form.

Ransomware is designed to lock your personal files: documents, photos, financial information, all the things you care about. Those files are still on your computer, but they are encrypted now and completely useless to you. In order to get them unencrypted, you’ll need to pay a ransom   This is usually $300-$500.

Dos and Don’ts:

1. Don’t pay the ransom. You may get your files back if you pay. But you may not. You might be dealing with an honest thief, one willing to unlock your files if you pay. Why would you ever give money to a thief?
2. Don’t click on attachments in email. Different techniques are used to try and infect you. The most popular is using spam email. The email could be saying there was a package for you that couldn’t be delivered or perhaps an invoice.  They want you to click on an attachment to install the malware. Don’t do it. Don’t click!
3. Keep software up to date. The hackers know about weaknesses in the software on your PC before you do and they try to use them to get on your machine and then exploit these vulnerabilities.  Patching removes the vulnerability. If you’re asked if you want to update your software – DON’T WAIT!
4. Use security software.  Get good security software. Make sure it is more than Anti-Virus.  ProtoTech can help choose the right one.
5. Back up, back up, back up. No one ever thinks anything bad will happen to them, until it does. Having a good backup is the best way to protect yourself and your business against malware attacks.  ProtoTech can provide a solution that features both local and cloud backups.