WHAT IS RANSOMWARE AND HOW TO PREVENT RANSOMWARE ATTACKS
Ransomware WannaCry attack explained and how to protect yourself from it.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM WANNACRY WHAT IS RANSOMWARE? Ransomware has been responsible for the most devastating cyberattack in history. It's a hackers method of using a computer virus to hold a users data hostage to demand payment. Ransomware is a malicious software scam affecting computers worldwide though digital information kidnapping. It takes the data on your computer in which you value and demands you pay up to get it back. Your computer must be infected first in order for this to happen. HOW DOES RANSOMWARE WORK? Phishing emails have been the number one source of infection. These emails will appear to look like your typical Paypal, Online Banking, FedEx, etc account emails. The email will attempt to trick you into clicking into an infected link by saying something in the form of your account has some urgent matter and you need to click a link to resolve the issue. It could be a delivery notice, or a payment was returned on your account, overdraft issue, etc. It can also occur through clicking on an attachment. Once you click on the infected link or attachment a screen will appear threatening to erase your files unless a ransom is paid. "It's only going to get worse and worse and worse," said Michael Gazeley, managing director of cybersecurity firm Network Box. "And it's absurd because companies have had years to prepare for this." He is right because the AIDS Trojan back in 1989 was the first known Ransomware attack according to Symantec, which demanded $189. It was unsuccessful because very few people used personal computers at that time - especially internet connected machines.
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM WANNACRY Today is different as now almost all data is stored on computers and nearly everyone has an internet connected device. The average ransom amount for infected devices is $300 and the preferred payment is bitcoin however many will also accept credit card. Hackers ask for an amount that they will most likely obtain. On Friday May 12, 2017, a widespread Ransomware attack struck organizations in more than 100 countries in 48 hours. The malware is referred to as WannaCry or WanaCrypt0r 2.0 or Wcry for short - the biggest cybercrime attack ever recorded.
UPDATE YOUR SOFTWARE: Critical update patches to Windows are necessary as well as data backups. There are also antimalware and antispyware applications that have been around for years that will detect and prevent WannaCry infections.
READ ON TO SEE THE TOP ANTI-RANSOMWARE PRODUCTS
TOP CHOICE: SPYHUNTER 4 SpyHunter 4 is developed by Enigma Software Group USA, LLC ("ESG") a privately-held international systems integrator and developer of PC security software for well over a decade. SpyHunter 4 is a top spyware detection & removal tool that provides rigorous protection against the latest spyware threats including malware, trojans, rootkits & malicious software. It offers a free diagnosis with option to purchase the full product for $39.99 is well-worth the value of the protection it offers.
Âť Get a FREE Diagnosis 2ND CHOICE: PLUMBYTES ANTI-MALWARE Plumbytes Anti-Malware is developed by Plumbytes Software LP in the United Kingdom, another private security firm and developer of top-notch PC security software. The only reason Plumbytes Anti-Malware is 2nd choice is because it cost $10 more. The cost is completely justified however because it removes malware injections, restores hijacked browsers and offers 24/7 live technical support. Their team of cybersecurity experts will help you remove any type of threat. The download is free and you can purchase the full product for $49.99 which is exactly what you will need to protect against Ransomware threats like WannaCry.
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