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Ransomware. Just hearing the word conjures up some pretty scary thoughts, as it should. In 2016, the FBI estimated that cybercriminals would collect over $1 Billion in ransoms - that’s a little pricy just to get back what was already yours. Once you factor in the loss of productivity and business continuity, ransom costs are much greater.
So, what exactly is ransomware and how it is most commonly distributed? Ransomware is a hybrid of malware and is designed to encrypt (therefore, making unreadable) your personal files and any files it can reach through your network connections. There are many ways to distribute ransomware and more ways are evolving all the time. Here are three of the most common ways hackers are infiltrating your PC/network with ransomware according to a report by datto:
How can you avoid paying for access to your own data?
Here are some tips to keep you safe from ransomware:
So, what exactly is ransomware and how it is most commonly distributed? Ransomware is a hybrid of malware and is designed to encrypt (therefore, making unreadable) your personal files and any files it can reach through your network connections. There are many ways to distribute ransomware and more ways are evolving all the time. Here are three of the most common ways hackers are infiltrating your PC/network with ransomware according to a report by datto:
- Email attachments (frequently disguised as a PDF, Adobe or Word document) or within the body of an email as a link or a macro to “decode” the content of the email. Senders use names of colleagues or clever subject lines to get you to interact with the email.
- Exploit kits are software packages that are designed to identify vulnerabilities and exploit them to install ransomware. The hacker buys the software, installs code on a legitimate website that then directs users to a malicious website.
- Ransomware-as-a-service provides those lacking technical skills the ability to create their own ransomware. That’s right, you don’t have to be a “computer genius” to distribute ransomware.
How can you avoid paying for access to your own data?
Here are some tips to keep you safe from ransomware:
- Backup often and keep a recent copy of your backup off-site
- Be cautious about unsolicited attachments received via email
- Don’t enable macros in document attachments
- Don’t give yourself more login power than you need – do no stay logged in as an administrator any longer than necessary
- Consider installing Microsoft Office Viewers – these app add-ons allow you to preview Microsoft Office attachments without opening them
- Educate yourself and staff on cybersecurity
- Patch early, patch often