Ransomware - Cyber Extortion - protect yourself
Extortion is thriving in cyberspace, with malwares denying user access to thier computers or files until they pay a ransom. I am talking about the malware Ransomware which have its root in many parts of the world incuding Pune, India. The recent article of The Times of India reads about many business executives from Pune who have either lost thier important files or paid the ransom amount.
Like most of the malwares, ransomware spreads through social-engineering attacks that include e-mail attachments. I don't know why people open such kinds of e-mail from an unknown sender. When you can't accept food package from strangers why to do you accept mails from them.
There are differnet types of ransomware in the web now, like the cryptolocker, revation, etc. but all of them have one thing in common - they will encrypt your files and deny access until you pay the ransom. Just like the real world extortion.
If your PC gets affected with one these ransomware you'll get a message showing the time left to pay ransom and the ransom amount. If you fail to pay the ransom money (generally around $100-$300, can be higher), you'll loose all your datas, pictures, movies, etc and they include your personal photos and videos.
Like most of the malwares, ransomware spreads through social-engineering attacks that include e-mail attachments. I don't know why people open such kinds of e-mail from an unknown sender. When you can't accept food package from strangers why to do you accept mails from them.
There are differnet types of ransomware in the web now, like the cryptolocker, revation, etc. but all of them have one thing in common - they will encrypt your files and deny access until you pay the ransom. Just like the real world extortion.
If your PC gets affected with one these ransomware you'll get a message showing the time left to pay ransom and the ransom amount. If you fail to pay the ransom money (generally around $100-$300, can be higher), you'll loose all your datas, pictures, movies, etc and they include your personal photos and videos.
How is this possible?
Is this the question that popped in your mind?
Cryptolocker encrypt users’ files using asymmetric encryption, which requires both a public and private key.
The public key is used to encrypt and verify data, while private key is used for decryption, each the inverse of the other.
Below is an image from Microsoft depicting the process of asymmetric encryption.
The bad news is decryption is impossible unless a user has the private key stored on the cybercriminals’ server.
Removal :
Till the current date it is very difficult to remove the malware and recover the files safely, Following the old saying, prevention is better than cure, you can protect your loving PC with a good quality antivirus or malware remover like malwarebytes etc. and by not foolishly opening any spam you get from a stranger. Remember no one can secure the data unless you want to.
Here's a quick video from the malwarebytes.org
One thing that I found strange is, they are still using XP. Maybe there's a reason behind it. Who knows?
You can download the pro version or the free version of malwarebytes on their website.
Share your thoughts in the comment below and don't foreget to like us on facebook for more helps, tricks tips and reviews.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hello, I am Piyush Ranjan, a computer engineering student from India. I love coding and talking on technology. Most of the time I am glued to my laptop watching movies, listening songs, blogging or coding.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for your feedback !