What is Ransomware? | How to be Safe?

Maybe you do not know about ransomware but nowadays it becomes very important to have some knowledge about it. So, here is all about ransomware and basic things using which anyone can secure their devices.

What is Ransomware & How it works? 

As you may know that ransom means a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of the captive. But do you know that a hacker can demand money for your computer data? Yes, it's true it can happen when ransomware attacks your computer. 

Ransomware is a type of virus(malware) which encrypt or lock your data. Then the hacker demands money to unlock or decrypt your data. And if you pay them they will give you a key to unlock your data. 

We can say that ransomware is malicious software that which blocks access to user's data until unless the ransom is paid. While some simple ransomware may lock the system in a way which is not difficult for a knowledgeable person to reverse and encrypts the victim's files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them.

Nowadays the number of victims of ransomware are increasing day by day. There are many victims of this type of virus wheater they are big corporate houses or some company. Even nowadays individuals are becoming a victim of such virus attack. 

Usually, victims thing getting paid is a solution and getting rid of it. But it's not. Guaranteed that after giving money to hacker your data will be decrypted is not necessary. After paying the hacker will demand more and more money.

You probably heard about WannaCry Ransomware attack in 2017. It is a global scale ransomware attack which spread across various computers and networks. Mainly it targets Windows OS due to some bugs in it. After this Microsoft issued some patches for it but many people use pirated versions or older version as they may not update their computer. So, the patches may not reach them. As a result, the attack spread continuously but now its effect is decreasing.

Also read:- 7 Mobile Device Security Mistakes, You Can Easily Avoid

Tips to be safe:-

Here some to keep your computer and data safe from Ransomware attack.

• Backup your data - Always keep backup of your data in an external hard disk. Make sure you only connect it while backing up your data otherwise if keep it connecting ransomware may affect it also. So, disconnect it after taking backup of your data.

• Scan Attachments - In your emails scan attachments before downloading them. Check all details of the mail as well as an attachment. Try to avoid downloading attachment having a .exe extension as it may contain ransomware.

• Show Extensions - In Windows OS always keep the option tick for showing extensions of all files. As it is noticed that ransomware has two extensions. For example:- .doc.exe, .avi.exe, .mp4.exe etc.

• Use Firewall - Make sure your computer's firewall is active. And keep a good purchased antivirus and keep it active. It Keeps your data safe from ransomware attack.

• Use Latest Softwares - Keep updating your software up to date. Always use the latest versions of all software's. Do not use outdated software.

• Disable Autoplay - If you are using USB disable autoplay option. So, you can check all the content in it and scan it and safely use the data from it.

These are few tips that you can use to keep your computer and data safe from ransomware attack. But the first tip i.e Backup the data is the best way to keep your data safe from ransomware. 

As if any ransomware attack your computer you can format it and you have the backup so just restore your data. Hope you may now know what is ransomware and how to keep your computer and data safe from any ransomware attack.