Ransomware ???

What is Ransomware?

SECURITY DEFINITION

Ransomware is malicious software that infects your computer and displays messages demanding a fee to be paid in order for your system to work again. This class of malware is a criminal moneymaking scheme that can be installed through deceptive links in an email message, instant message or website. It has the ability to lock a computer screen or encrypt important, predetermined files with a password.

Examples of Ransomware

Scareware is the simplest type of ransomware. It uses scare tactics or intimidation to trick victims into paying up. It can come in the form of fake antivirus software in which a message suddenly appears claiming your computer has various issues and an online payment is necessary to fix them!

The level of this type of attack varies. Sometimes, users may be bombarded with endless alerts and pop-up messages. Other times, the computer will fail to work at all. Yet, another type of ransomware can impersonate a law enforcement agency by opening up a page that appears to be from a local law enforcement office and claiming the computer user was caught performing illegal activities online. Files are then locked in hard-to-crack, encrypted files, making it difficult for users to recover unless the ransom is paid.

Typical attacks usually ask for $100 to $200. Other attacks seek much more, especially if the attacker knows the data being held hostage would be can cause a significant direct financial loss to a company. As a result, cybercriminals who set up these scams can make big sums of money.

No matter what the scenario, even if the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that computer users will be able to fully access their systems again. While some hackers direct victims to pay through Bitcoin, MoneyPak or other online methods, attackers could also demand credit card data, adding another level of financial loss.

History of Ransomware

The first cases were reported in Russia in 2005. However, since then, the scams have spread throughout the world, with new types still successfully targeting victims. In September 2013, CryptoLocker surfaced and targeted all versions of Windows! It has successfully infected hundreds of thousands of personal computers and business systems. Victims unknowingly opened up emails impersonating customer support services from FedEx, UPS, DHS and other companies. Once activated, the malware's onscreen timer demanded an average payment of $300 within 72 hours. Some versions affected local files and removable media. The United States Computer Emergency Response Team warned the malware had the ability to jump from machine to machine and advised infected computer users to immediately remove infected machines from their networks.

Kaspersky security experts have been able to decrypt hijacked data, but they admit it isn't always possible if the encryption is very strong, as is the case with CryptoLocker. It is essential for private users and businesses to regularly back up their computers to prevent the loss of important data.

Prevention and Removal

Computer users should make sure their firewalls are on, avoid questionable websites and be alert when opening any suspicious email messages. Choosing proven antivirus software from a reputable company can help protect your computer against the latest ransomware threats.

There Are several Problem Solve or Preventive Measures for Ransomware

1. Don't Turn Off your Windows Security

    Windows Security yang ada dilaptop atau dikomputer itu sangat berfungsi untuk mencegah dan membaca virus yang membahayakan dalam folder atau file bahkan aplikasi yang kita unduh tidak melalui develpor aslinya. Bisa dibilang, antivirus ini cukup terbaik dan tak perlu ribet mencari install-an nya karena sudah ada terpasang default dimasing-masing laptop atau komputer.

2. Avoiding About The Clickbait or advertise on Website

    Clickbait, a form of false advertisement uses hyperlink text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract attention and to entice users to follow that link and read, view, or listen to the linked piece of online content, with a defining characteristic of being deceptive, typically sensationalized or misleading. A "teaser" aims to exploit the "curiosity gap", providing just enough information to make readers of news websites curious, but not enough to satisfy their curiosity without clicking through to the linked content. Click-bait headlines add an element of dishonesty, using enticements that do not accurately reflect the content being delivered. The "-bait" part of the term makes an analogy with fishing, where a hook is disguised by an enticement (bait), presenting the impression to the fish that it is a desirable thing to swallow.

3. Using the Antivirus Software

    Antivirus software, or anti-virus software (abbreviated to AV software), also known as anti-malware, is a computer program used to prevent, detect, and remove malware.

Antivirus software was originally developed to detect and remove computer viruses, hence the name. However, with the proliferation of other kinds of malware, antivirus software started to provide protection from other computer threats. In particular, modern antivirus software can protect users from: malicious browser helper objects (BHOs), browser hijackers, ransomware, keyloggers, backdoors, rootkits, trojan horses, worms, malicious LSPs, dialers, fraudtools, adware and spyware. Some products also include protection from other computer threats, such as infected and malicious URLs, spam, scam and phishing attacks, online identity (privacy), online banking attacks, social engineering techniques, advanced persistent threat (APT) and botnet DDoS attacks.