Ransomware

Ransomware are malicious software that are capable of harming computing devices such as laptops, smartphones and workstations. Ransomware can encrypt all your files to make them unreadable. The attacker would request money/ransom to be paid in order to make the content decrypted or readable. The Ransomware normally spreads through a downloaded file.

How ransomware appears in your computer?

Files are encrypted and unreadable
A message tells that your device is infected and you need to pay to get your files back
A message tells that you need to pay for a Windows system update
It won’t allow you to properly start your device. A full-size window may appear and suggest you to pay a ransom

How to mitigate the risk of ransomware attack?

Update the operating system and the software applications regularly
Use a licensed antivirus and anti-spam solutions and keep them up to date
Take a data backup in regular basis to restore files
Disable macro scripts whenever possible

How do you respond to ransomware?

Isolate infected device from other systems and network as soon as possible
Determine if the online descriptor is available eg: No more ransom
Seek advice from information security professionals
Never pay the requested ransom to the attacker as there is no guarantee that they will decrypt your device
Upon removing the ransomware restore backups