Ransomware is a form of Cyber Crime that threatens you and your device, but what makes this malware unique?
The word “ransom” tells you everything you need to know about this pest. Ransomware is extortion software that can lock your computer and demand a ransom for its release.
In most cases, ransomware infection occurs as follows. The malware first gains access to the device. The entire operating system or individual files are encrypted depending on the ransomware type. A ransom is then demanded from the victim. To minimize the risk of a ransomware attack, you should rely on high-quality ransomware protection software.
Ransomware: part of the malware family
Malware is a portmanteau of “malicious” and “software.” The term malware covers all malicious software that can be dangerous to your computer. This includes viruses and Trojans.
How to detect ransomware and protect yourself from it
When it comes to protecting against ransomware, prevention is better than cure. A watchful eye and the right security software are crucial to achieving this. Vulnerability scans can also help you to find intruders in your system. First, ensuring your computer is not an ideal target for ransomware is essential. Device software should continually be updated to benefit from the latest security patches. In addition, careful action, especially concerning 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 backing up your data. To learn how to create a backup and what additional measures you can put in place to protect your device, read the article Ransomware protection: How to keep your data safe in 2022.
Fighting encryption, Trojans – you can do it!
The most common ransomware infection routes include visiting malicious websites, downloading a malicious attachment, or via unwanted add-ons during downloads. A single careless moment is enough to trigger 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.
Changes to file extensions, increased CPU activity, and other dubious activity on your computer may indicate an infection. When removing ransomware, there are three options available to you. The first is to pay the ransom, which is not recommended. It is, therefore, best to try to remove the ransomware from your computer. If this is not possible, only one step remains: resetting your computer to factory settings.
What forms of ransomware are there, and what does that mean for you?
As mentioned above, the threat posed by ransomware depends 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. These can be distinguished as follows:
- Locker ransomware – essential computer functions are affected
- Crypto ransomware – individual files are encrypted
The type of malware also makes a significant difference when identifying and dealing with ransomware. Within the two main categories, distinctions are made between numerous additional types of ransomware. These include for example, Locky, WannaCry, and Bad Rabbit.
History of ransomware
Blackmailing 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 worldwide, with new types proving successful. In 2011, a dramatic increase in ransomware attacks was observed. In the course of further attacks, antivirus software manufacturers 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.
- False claims about illegal content:
This approach is unsuccessful for cybercriminals in countries with standard illegal software downloads. Instead, ransomware messages claim that they are from law enforcement agencies and that child pornography or other unlawful content has been found on the victim’s computer. The notice also contains a demand for a penalty fee to be paid.
The largest ransomware attack
One of the most extensive and severe ransomware attacks occurred in the spring of 2017 and was called WannaCry. Approximately 200,000 victims from roughly 150 countries were asked to pay a ransom in Bitcoin during the attack.
Conclusion
In all its forms and variants, ransomware poses a significant threat 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. Therefore, learning about ransomware, being highly conscious of how you use devices, and installing the best security software is essential.
