Ransomware : Things to know about.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that carries out the cryptoviral extortion attack from cryptovirology that blocks access to data until a ransom is paid and displays a message requesting payment to unlock it. Simple ransomware may lock the system in a way which is not difficult for a knowledgeable person to reverse.

·         More advanced malware encrypts the victim's files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them.

·         They can target any PC users, whether it’s a home computer, endpoints in an enterprise network, or servers used by a government agency or healthcare provider.

Ransomware can:

·         Prevent you from accessing Windows.

·         Encrypt files so you can't use them.

·         Stop certain apps from running (like your web browser).

How do ransomware threats spread?

·         Spam email campaigns that contain malicious links.

·         Security exploits in vulnerable software;

·         Internet traffic redirects to malicious websites;

·         Legitimate websites that have malicious code injected in their web pages;

·         SMS messages (when targeting mobile devices);

·         Self-propagation (spreading from one infected computer to another); WannaCry, for instance, used an exploit kit that scanned a user’s PC, looking for a certain vulnerability, and then launched a ransomware attack that targeted it.

How to Prevent:

1.     Back up your data: The single biggest thing that will defeat ransomware is having a regularly updated backup.

2.     Please do not open any email which has attachments with “tasksche.exe”, file/folder with extension “EXE” or any unknown sender.

3.     Avoid using ATM unless very urgent.

4.     Avoid using online transactions for 1-2 days.