What is Ransomware Attacks ?
Ransomware attack is a cyber attack in which malicious software (virus software with virus file) enters someone’s computer via web / internet and locks its entire system. This computer virus is so dangerous that you cannot retrieve your data in any way if you do not pay money to unlock your system.
This virus attack lets you do every one of the drives in Jam, which you cannot use until you pay the ransom money. The computer that comes under the ransomware, always comes in front of the computer where the option of Payment to unlock continues.
Ransom attacks are the most viewed in Russia, but now it is spreading slowly throughout the world. This is a very big problem, which, when small mistakes happen, from computers to large companies and government offices in their grip. This has made it very difficult for big banks too.
What is Ransomware ?
It is a type of malware program that infects locks or takes control of a system and demands ransom to undo it. Ransomware attacks and infects a computer with the intention of extorting money from its owner.
It may also be referred to as a crypto-virus, crypto-Trojan or crypto-worm.
How Ransomware Works ?
There are different types of ransomware. However, the purpose of all of them is to prevent you from using the PC normally and they ask for payment for access to the PC and ransom not only targets your most important files but also blocks system files with your photos, documents and spreadsheets, causing web browsers, applications and the entire operating system to become unusable.
But keep in mind that there is no guarantee that if you have done this, they will give you access to your PC or file again.
Who Created Ransomware ?
Ransomware can come to your PC from almost any source, such as other malware or viruses. This includes the following source –
- The reason for most ransomware coming on PC is the malicious e-mail link and attachments. Opening their mails or attachments to people you do not know increases the risk of getting on ransomware
- By visiting unsafe, suspicious, or fake websites.
- It can come on PC by clicking on that link on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media posts.
Types of Ransomware
These are mainly two types:
- CRYPTO Ransomware
- LOCKER Ransomware
- CRYPTO Ransomware
Crypto ransomware is as simple as weaponizing strong encryption against victims to deny them access to those files. Once the ransomware infiltrates the victim’s device, the malware silently identifies and encrypts valuable files. Only after successfully accessing to target files has been restricted does the ransomware ask the user for a fee to access their files. Without the decryption key held by the attackers, or in some cases, a vendor decryption solution, the user loses access to the encrypted files. Crypto ransomware often includes a time limit. Some variants of crypto ransomware even provide users with a site to purchase bitcoins and articles explaining the currency.
- LOCKER Ransomware
This is also known as computer locker. This ransomware does not encrypt the files of the victim but instead, it denies the access to the device. This locks the device’s user interface and then demands the victim for the ransom. This virus will leave the victim with very few capabilities such as allowing the victim just to communicate with the attacker and to pay the ransom.
How to Detect Ransomware ?
Ransomware has some key characteristics that set it apart from other malware ,
- It features unbreakable encryption, which means that you cannot decrypt the files on your own (there are various decryption tools released by cyber security researchers ).
- It has the ability to encrypt all kinds of files, from documents to pictures, videos, audio files and other things you may have on your PC.
- It can scramble your file names, so you cannot know which data was affected. This is one of the social engineering tricks used to confuse and coerce victims into paying the ransom;
- It will add a different extension to your files, to sometimes signal a specific type of ransom.
- It will display an image or a message that lets you know your data has been encrypted and that you have to pay a specific sum of money to get it back.
- It requests payment in bitcoins because this crypto-currency cannot be tracked by cyber security researchers or law enforcements agencies.
- Usually, the ransom payments have a time-limit, to add another level of psychological constraint to this extortion scheme. Going over the deadline typically means that the ransom will increase but it can also mean that the data will be destroyed and lost forever.
- It uses a complex set of evasion techniques to go undetected by traditional antivirus (more on this in the “Why Ransomware often goes undetected by antivirus” section).
- It often recruits the infected PCs into bot nets, so cyber criminals can expand their infrastructure and fuel future attacks.
- It can spread to other PCs connected to a local network, creating further damage.
- It frequently features data exfiltration capabilities, which means that it can also extract data from the affected computer (usernames, passwords, email addresses, etc.) and send it to a server controlled by cyber criminals; encrypting files is not always the endgame.
- It sometimes includes geographical targeting, meaning the ransom note is translated into the victim’s language, to increase the chances for the ransom to be paid.
How to Protect From Ransomware
Below we have given some important tips that help you save your computer and business from Ransom Virus Attack –
- Keep your data backup as soon as possible
The first thing you need to remember is that you keep getting your data back as soon as possible. Keep updating and saving your documents that are important to your cloud storage or hard disk. You can also use features like dropbox, google drive, mediafire etc to keep online backup.
- Modify Anti-spam settings
Most ransomware viruses are sent via email to .exe, .vbs, or .scr files. As soon as the user opens that file, his computer is affected by that ransom virus, so make changes to your antivirus antispam setting and setups to send several types of file extensions to spam.
- Do not open idle files in Email
Do not download or open any unknown file online on your email or any website. There is also the risk of having ransom virus in it. Also, emails containing banking emails or business emails that seem to be somewhat spammy in showing do not open an open bill. Think twice before clicking anything.
- Keep updating your computer essential softwares
Always keep updating some of the essential softwares of your computer. They are essential software –
- Operating System
- Antivirus
- Web Browsers
- Adobe Flash Players
- Java Versions
- Turn off the computer
If you think something is going away with your computer or some unknown error messages are coming, then disconnect your computer’s internet service and close the computer code.
- Disable Remote Sharing
You can always disable remote sharing in your computer and enable it when you need sharing and you know who you are sharing, otherwise your system will be Ransom and you can connect to a network only it will encrypt the entire network.
- Think twice before clicking
Dangerous hyperlinks can be received via social networks or instant messengers, and the senders are likely to be people you trust, including your friends or colleagues. For this attack to be deployed, cyber criminals compromise their accounts and submit bad links to as many people as possible.
- Keep your Windows Firewall always turned on so that it works correctly.
- Install and install some of the better security softwares in your system that can read .zip, .rar files too.
- Keep windows script host disabled.
- Keep windows powerShell disabled.
- Keep Pop-up off forever to protect ransom virus attack through your web browser.
- Keep AutoPlay Options for Media also Deactivate.
- Keep file sharing system also always disabled.
- Block the idle IP address.
Ransom Checker & Removal Tools
These are various ransom checker and removal tools. Here is Follows –
- ID Ransomware
- Avast
- Virus Total
- Spyware Scanner
- Kaspersky
- ID Ransomware
ID Ransomware helps you to check which ransom has encrypted the data. You need to upload the sample encrypted file and note which shows the name and payment information.
It detects for more than 250 types of ransomware, and if found they may redirect you to the right direction to decrypt it.
- Avast
Avast got 11 decryption tools to fight with the ransomware. If your PC is a victim of that ransomware, then don’t pay the money instead download and decrypt yourself.
- VirusTotal
VirusTotal is one of the most popular services to check your file for all kind of malware, Trojans, worms, viruses. Maximum file size supported is 128MB.
VirusTotal would be useful to scan any suspicious files.
- Spyware Scanner
Spyware Scanner by Enigma specifically helps you to find if infected with LeChiffre, CryptoLocker ransomware. In the free version, you can scan your PC and if found you need to buy the Spyhunter malware removal tool.
- Kaspersky
NoRansom project by kaspersky has some decryption tools to rescue from ransomware to get your data back.
- Bitcryptor
- Vandev
- Xoris
- CoinVault
- Fury
- Lortok
- Cryakl
- Wildfire
- Shade
- Lamer
So , it was all about What is Ransomware ? , We hope you understand everything well. If you have still any questions or doubts related with What is Ransomware ? then you can freely ask us in the comment box below.
