Ransomware

Different types of malware attacks have been getting stronger and more damaging every day. Some of them even go back to the early times of the internet. And, while many of them have declined through the years, others have come back even more robust, causing severe and irreversible damages. One of the internet-old malware attacks is ransomware.

Ransomware is a type of malware that relies on demanding a ransom, hence the name. This type of malware is most commonly used for the sole purpose of financial theft. Ransomware attacks were at their highest at the beginning of the internet era. They declined for quite some time just to come back again and cause more trouble.

It is safe to say that this type of attack is not that common nowadays, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need sturdy protection against it. This malware is when your hacker gets into your system and converts all of your data into a cypher that you cannot decipher without their help. It denies you every access to your system as long as the attacker keeps the decryption key.

Safety Measures to Protect Yourself From Potential Ransomware Attacks

Attackers threaten to corrupt all of your sensitive data, leak it to the public, or even delete it altogether until you pay them a ransom in exchange. The worst part is that paying your attacker does not guarantee that they will release your data. For that very reason, you need to apply strong practices to protect yourself from ransomware or learn how to remove the malware without having to pay.

Use Virus Scanners

A virus scanner is pretty much the same as anti-malware software. They both work on constantly scanning your system to detect any possible threats. Make sure you use a virus scanner on your emails as well, where many ransomware and malicious attacks start.

This tool is important in warning you of the existence of malware, but it, unfortunately, can do nothing once the ransomware attack has already taken place and encrypted your files. However, it is safe to say the level of effectiveness of such programs, especially the ones newly released, is quite high.

Use Anti-Ransomware Software

Fortunately, most anti-malware or anti-ransomware software is capable of removing the ransomware before damages take place. Among the features that some of this software come with is the ability to restore files that have been deleted or corrupted.

This tool is more critical than you may think it is. Unfortunately, most legal authorities cannot take legal action against the hacker if you are threatened to pay the ransom. Besides, paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee that you get your data back. Thus, you need to be fully prepared against such attacks.

Update Software to Latest Versions

The latest versions of any operating system builds protection against potential malware. It is important that you keep your device always up to date to avoid giving attackers the opportunity to exploit any existing vulnerabilities.

Data Backup

At times of unfortunate ransomware attacks that take a toll on your system, data backup comes in handy. If you have your data backed up on a separate medium, you can easily get out of paying a financial ransom since you already have your important information tucked away.

Make sure you back up your data on an external hard drive or USB drive. However, it is important to note that your drive may get encrypted as well if it is connected to your computer during the time the ransomware attack is active.

Use Secured Networks

Make sure you have your private WiFi network properly secured. Most attackers find a way into your system through unsecured networks. If you happen to use public networks a lot, make sure you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs go a long way in keeping your online identity anonymous and hiding your IP address, reducing any chances of undesired ransomware attacks