What is ransomware.edited

RANSOMWARE
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that locks down a user's computer or personal files and
demands a ransom to unlock them. The first ransomware variants appeared in the late 1980s
when the ransom was proposed to be delivered via regular mail. Currently, ransomware writers
demand that a ransom be paid in cryptocurrency or that a certain amount be transferred to a
credit card.
Key takeaways
● Ransomware is a type of malware that locks down a user's computer or personal files and
demands a ransom to unlock them.
● Ransomware can infiltrate your computer in a range of ways. This includes; unwanted
email messages used to spread malware is known as malicious spam. Also, malicious
advertisement, which occurred in 2016, is now a thing of the past.
● There exist three kinds of ransomware, each with varying degrees of severity. These are
Pseudo-antiviruses, Screen blocking viruses, and ransomware that encrypts files.
● If a virus has entered your computer system, you should remember the first and most
important rule - never pay a ransom. Also, resist the virus by downloading a particular
program to neutralize it and then running a scan on the infected computer. If you want to
interfere with a ransomware program shut down the computer and disconnect from the
Internet.
● To protect yourself from a ransomware attack, one should use antivirus programs
providing real-time cyber protection. Also, apply regular file backup and install a timely
system and software updates.
Have you ever wondered why ransomware makes such a scam? You've probably heard about
them at work or read about them in the news. Perhaps a pop-up window with a warning about a
ransomware attack has appeared on your computer screen right now. You've come to the right
place if you want to learn everything there is to know about ransomware. We'll go over the
various types of ransomware, how they get into the computer system, where they originate from,
who they attack, and how to protect yourself from them.
Ransomware infection
Ransomware can infiltrate your computer in a range of ways.
Unwanted email messages used to spread malware are known as malicious spam. Suspicious
attachments identified as PDF or Word documents are often attached to these messages.
Furthermore, the text of these messages may include links to malicious websites. Malicious spam
employs social engineering to convince recipients that a letter came from friends or
organizations they recognize, prompting them to open harmless emails and attachments.
Malicious advertisement, which occurred in 2016, is now a thing of the past. Malicious
advertising is online advertising that is designed to spread malware with little or no user
interaction. Without even clicking on the advertisement banner, the user redirection to the
cybercriminals' website servers while browsing websites, including credible resources. These
website servers collect information about the target computers and their locations and then
choose the computer malware that is the most convenient to send to the computers. And
ransomware is a common type of malware in this category.
Ransomware types
There exist three kinds of ransomware, each with varying degrees of severity: some obstruct the
user's experience, while others pose a serious threat. A brief description of each of these types is
as follows:
 Pseudo-antiviruses
Pseudo-antiviruses are usually more of a nuisance than a threat. They are malicious programs
that masquerade as security applications and allow attackers to pose as technical support
representatives. A warning message may appear on your computer screen, stating that malware
has been found in the system and that the only way to remove it is to pay a fee. If you do
nothing, annoying pop-ups will most likely continue to appear, but nothing will endanger your
files in general.
Users would not be irritated in this manner by a simple antivirus program. Because the antivirus
identified in the pop-up window is not installed on your system, it would not be able to warn you
about ransomware. Because you have already paid for the licensing, you do not need to pay to
delete the virus if you use this specific security program.
 Screen blocking viruses
These viruses are classified as orange-level threats. If a screen-locking program has infiltrated
the system, you will be unable to continue working with the machine. After turning on the
computer, a full-screen window appears on the monitor, usually with the FBI or Department of
Justice's official badge. A warning appears in the window, stating that illegal activity has been
discovered on your computer and that you must pay a fine. It's critical to realize that the FBI will
not seize your computer or levy a fine for "illegal activity." If you are accused of piracy, child
pornography distribution, or other computer offenses, law enforcement authorities can follow a
different process set forth by legislation.
 Ransomware that encrypts files
These viruses are hazardous. Their creators want to steal or encrypt your files, then demand a
ransom to decrypt or return them. This type of ransomware poses a unique threat in that if
cybercriminals take control of your files, neither antivirus software nor System Restore will be
able to restore them to you. And if you don't pay cybercriminals, your data will most likely
vanish forever. However, there is no guarantee that cybercriminals will keep their word and
return your files if you pay the ransom.
Recent ransomware attacks

● Europol: Ransomware remains top threat according to Internet Organized Crime Threat
Assessment (IOCTA)
● Ransomware continues to attack businesses and cities
● Trojans and ransomware dominate cyber threats to educational institutions in 2018–2019.
Mac ransomware
It seems that no one will be able to stay out of the war on ransomware: in 2016, the first
Ransomware for Mac OS was created. This virus was named Keranger and was identified when
it infected the Transmission application: when launched, it copied malicious files into the system
that worked in the background for three days without manifesting themselves, and then suddenly
attacked the system and encrypted the files. Fortunately, shortly after detecting this virus, Apple
released an update to the XProtect security application built into the operating system to stop the
virus from spreading further. However, this case showed that the existence of Mac ransomware
is a fait accompli.
Ransomware for mobile devices

Ransomware was not believed to pose a significant threat to mobile devices. This was until 2014
when many mobile devices fell victim to the infamous Cryptolocker and other similar viruses.
On the screen of a mobile device, the ransomware usually conveys that it has been blocked due
to the user's illegal actions. The message also indicates that the device will be unlocked when the
user pays a certain amount as a penalty. Ransomware often arrives on mobile devices along with
malicious applications. To neutralize them and regain access to the device, the user needs to
restart it safely and delete the infected application.
What to do if your computer is infected

If a virus has entered your computer system, you should remember the first and most important
rule - never pay a ransom. After all, by paying the ransom to cybercriminals, you only convince
them that the next attack against you or another user will also be successful. You can try to
restore access to some encrypted files using free decryptors.
You can also resist the virus by downloading a particular program to neutralize it and then
running a scan on the infected computer. You may not regain access to the files, but this way,
you can clean the computer from the virus.
If you want to interfere with a ransomware program that has already infiltrated your computer
and may encrypt your files, you need to proceed very carefully. If you notice that the system
starts to work slowly for no apparent reason, turn off your computer and disconnect it from the
Internet. If the malware is still active after restarting the system, it will not send data or receive
instructions from the C&C server. This means that without a key or a specified method to extract
payment information, malware can remain in standby mode. Having gained time in this way,
download and install an antivirus program on the infected computer, and then run a full system
scan.
How to protect yourself from ransomware
Computer security experts agree that the best way to defend against ransomware is to prevent it
from entering your computer.
We have prepared for you several recommendations to help prevent unwanted consequences of
ransomware attacks.
1. To prevent ransomware attacks is to acquire a reliable antivirus program that provides

real-time cyber protection and can withstand the most advanced malware, including
ransomware. When choosing an antivirus, you should pay special attention to its features
to protect vulnerable programs from threats and block attempts by ransomware to
encrypt.
2. Regularly back up your data. We recommend using cloud storage with high encryption
and multiple authentications for this. An alternative option is to purchase a large USB
stick or external hard drive to store new or updated files.
3. Timely install system and software updates.
Finally, you need to keep abreast of developments. One of the most common ways to infect
computers with ransomware is through social engineering. Learn to identify malicious spam,
spot suspicious websites, and other fraudulent schemes.

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RANSOMWARE

Ransomware can infiltrate your computer in a range of ways.

Recent ransomware attacks

Ransomware for mobile devices

What to do if your computer is infected

1. To prevent ransomware attacks is to acquire a reliable antivirus program that provides

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