Bach Seat

Ransomware is a nasty form of malware. It is also known as data kidnapping. It locks up your computer by encrypting your data and then demanding you pay a fee to unlock them. The fee is usually in Bitcoins. The decryption key may or may not unlock your files. Ransomware can be terrifying. We rely so completely these days on our PCs that to stare helplessly at yours—often with a racy image on the screen—is frustrating and crippling to your productivity. Cybercriminals may use one of several tactics to extort money from their victims.

Tactics to extort money

1. After a victim discovers he cannot open a file, he receives an email ransom note demanding a relatively small amount of money in exchange for a private key. The attacker warns that if the ransom is not paid by a certain date, the private key will be destroyed and the data will be lost forever.

2. The victim is duped into believing he is the subject of a police inquiry. After being informed that unlicensed software or illegal web content has been found on his computer, the victim is given instructions for how to pay an electronic fine.

3. The attackers sneak malware onto a computer, usually by a drive-by download, which encrypts the victim’s data but does nothing else. In this approach, the data kidnapper anticipates that the victim will look on the Internet for how to fix the problem and makes money by selling anti-ransomware software on legitimate websites.

Cut your ransomware risks

Here are tips that cut your risk of becoming a victim.

1. Avoid sketchy websites, searches, and downloads. You know the old expression “You can’t cheat an honest man”? Well, many (though not all) ransomware infections begin when a user surfs to pornographic or gambling websites, while others start with a click on a suspicious link. Steer clear of sites known to house malware, and never click a link in an email unless you know it is legit.

2. Back up your data. Experts stress that the single biggest thing that will defeat ransomware is having a regularly updated backup. That way, if you are beset by ransomware, you can restore your system while losing relatively little work.

3. Update your software regularly. Ransomware, like most malware threats, may sneak onto your PC through a known flaw in your operating system or other software programs. And hackers often rely on people running outdated software with those known vulnerabilities. You can definitely decrease the potential for ransomware if you make a practice of updating your software often.

4. Use a reputable security suite. It is always a good idea to have both anti-malware software and a firewall to help you identify threats or suspicious behavior. Malware authors often send out new variants, to try to avoid detection, which is why it’s important to have both layers of protection.

Anti-malware vendor Webroot provided this infographic that shows the prevalence of ransomware and the methods IT professionals use to deal with it.

Related articles

• Mobile Threat Monday: The Rise of Mobile Ransomware (securitywatch.pcmag.com)

Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.