Ransomware, Corrupted Files, and You

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Stop for a moment and listen up. There is a silent attack going on in cyberspace that you need to be aware of. It has the potential to mess things up really badly for you, and worst of all, it’s not limited to this country.
Ransomware, Corrupted Files, and You

Hey, you! Yeah, you! Stop for a moment and listen up. There is a silent attack going on in cyberspace that you need to be aware of. It has the potential to mess things up really badly for you, and worst of all, it’s not limited to this country.

A Worldwide Problem of Concern

Over 100 countries are being affected by the tidal wave of new Ransomware. Cleverly named WannaCry, it is the largest attack of its kind recorded to date. After all, it’s halted production in automobile factories worldwide and even caused the NHS of Britain to cancel surgeries.

In 48 hours since the Ransomware was officially released to the public, it affected over 230,000 Microsoft Windows computers. That’s an alarming number considering some of the businesses it affected included Nissan, Renault, NHS, and FedEx.

No Computer is Safe from Ransomware

The lesson to be learned from this experience is that no computer is safe from Ransomware. It prevents you from accessing the files on your hard drive and makes you pay a ‘ransom’ in the form of currency (usually Bitcoins). Considering the number of victims affected by this type of attack, the money paid out to restore computers is a very significant sum.

A Problem Since the 1990s

Ransomware has been wreaking havoc on computers since the 1990s but has gained more recognition over the years. It has evolved to the point that cybercriminals have the ability of encrypting file names and storing them with a private key on their servers. Until the ‘ransom’ is paid, there’s not much a person can do.

Even removing the malware makes it impossible to recover the infected files. If these files contain sensitive information, it becomes an even more troubling matter with urgent importance. That’s what makes attacks like this so dangerous.

What Makes WannaCry So Dangerous

WannaCry is a supped up version of Ransomware. It’s nearly impossible to break because it uses the RSA 2048-bit cipher to encrypt its data. It is also modular in nature while other versions of Ransomware are typically simplistic.

An Attack Every 40 Seconds in 2016

With so many users depending on technology to perform tasks, is it any wonder that Ransomware attacks are on the rise? According to Kaspersky Lab, a popular antivirus system, 2016 saw an attack every 40 seconds. Over 2,315,931 users dealt with the malware. A majority (97.25%) of the attacks came through phishing emails.

 

Here’s How You Prevent Ransomware from Taking Over Your Computer

So, what do you do to prevent WannaCry from taking over your computer? pCloud Blog recommends regular backing up of your data. It’s important to take precautionary measures when it comes to online security basics. You’ll also need to know cybercrime patterns so you can avoid Ransomware attacks.

The company offers a service called pCloud Rewind that allows you to go back in time and retrieve deleted or infected content. You have a window of access of up to 180 days. You’re able to restore or download versions of your files with a single click.

Some other ways Norton suggests avoiding WannaCry and Ransomware attacks include: 

-Installing security software on your hardware. Keep it up-to-date with a current subscription. Do NOT leave your computer unprotected.

-Make sure software is also up-to-date. There are added security features with most software programs. By keeping it updated, you’ll have less likelihood of an exposed vulnerability with it.

-Use all of the layers of protection available to you. When you turn on your security product, make sure that you know how it works and what it is capable of doing for you. Every layer of protection should be activated so you’re able to make the most of the investment you made in the product.

As you can see, there are a number of things you can do to prevent Ransomware from taking over your computer. Make sure that you practice these tips regularly. That way, you won’t be added to the growing list of computer users affected by WannaCry.

Software Keep Takes Safety Concerns Very Seriously

Software Keep urges you to beware of Ransomware. Do not download files from unreliable sources. Avoid opening attachments in the event that they are corrupted.

Run security on your computer regularly. If you do these things, you can avoid malware and Ransomware attacks. It’s important to invest in a good anti-virus product because it gives you an added layer of protection.