One of the fastest growing threats is ransomware and the reason you should be wary of this malware is because it targets your personal data.
Your photos and videos or just about any file will be locked away if you get hit by this malware.
And as we are storing everything digitally these days, it’s paramount that you know how to protect your personal computer.
Back Up
A lot of people are still guilty of this – not backing up their files. Remember, Ransomware’s real target is your files and if you have made backups then being hit by the malware is just an inconvenience.
All you have to do is reinstall your operating system and apps, and restore your files and your computer will be as good as new – just don’t make the same mistake again.
Pro tip: If you have a lot of programs to install, especially open-source ones, go to Ninite.com. You’ll be able to pick the apps you need – all from your browser – and the site will download all of them while removing any junk (like unnecessary toolbars or third-party software) into one package. It doesn’t get any easier than this.
And even if you don’t get hit by malware, the hard disk drive in your computer will eventually fail as all mechanical things do, and at that point it might be too late to save your files.
The good news is that you now have many more options, especially the Cloud, which makes backing up a breeze.
If you are using Windows, you might as well use OneDrive which comes pre-installed with Windows 10, as it’s Microsoft Cloud service.
The free option nets you 15GB of storage and there are paid options to increase it further.
Or you can try Google Drive – it has just been updated to allow automatic backup which will make the process even easier.
The added bonus of storing your files on the Cloud is that you will be able to access it from anyway, including your phones and tablets.
The Key
Ransomware has become such a menace that the National High Tech Crime Unit of the Netherlands’ police, Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, and security companies Kaspersky Lab and Intel Security have teamed up to counter it.
The result is the “No More Ransom” website which offers keys to many of the infamous ransomware so you can unlock your files without having to pay the ransoms.
So if you’re hit by ransomware, head to http://www.nomoreransom.org first.
Price of Paying
If you didn’t back up your files and can’t find the key on the No More Ransom site, you may be tempted to pay. Don’t.
First of all there is no guarantee that you will be given the key to decrypt your files. As they say, there is no honour among thieves but it could also be because the attackers may no longer be using the email or account as it gets shut down quite quickly.
Whatever the reason may be, paying the attackers encourages them to make even more malware.
The monetary motivation is what is making ransomware one of the fastest growing threats so don’t contribute to it.
Free Protection
Microsoft has been improving Defender – the free antivirus that comes with Windows – but you can get better protection for your PC without having to spend a cent.
If you want extra protection – and, more importantly, peace of mind – you can opt for a third party antivirus such as Bitdefender Antivirsu Free Edition, Avast Free Antivirus or Avira Free Antivirus, as they offer robust protection at no extra cost. But do bear in mind that more is not merrier so just pick one of the three.
Spam and Scam
One of the main gateways for malware is your e-mail so never open any message originating from people you don’t know.
Don’t even bother opening that e-mail that says you have won the lottery or your uncle has left you a big inheritance because scammers almost always rely on a victim’s curiosity and greed.
And if you really must open the mail, be wary of the links, as they could lead you to the attacker’s site.
Even if you are absolutely sure it’s legitimate, still don’t click on it, as attackers can easily disguise a rogue link to look like a proper address. Instead type in the link into the web browser’s address bar yourself.
Now look at the left hand side of the address bar, as most browsers will indicate if the site is secure and verified. In Chrome, for instance, you will see a lock in green – remember never to log in to your account if you don’t see it.
Lastly, and this is the most important part – never open an attachment that is of unknown origin because it is often used to carry the payload.
Shared Thoughts 