Dear Geek,
I’ve been hearing a lot about this “RansomWare”. You’ve been posting alerts about it, it’s been in the news, and it’s everywhere! What is RansomWare, and how can I avoid getting it on my computer?
Sincerely,
Not ready to pay ransom.
Dear Ransom,
RansomWare is a kind of malware that is installed by criminals so they can lock your computer from a remote location. It generates a pop-up window, webpage, or email warning from what looks to be an official authority or reputable company in hopes that someone will open an infected webpage or email. Once a user opens an infected file, your computer tells you that your files have been scrambled and encrypted, and demands payment before you can access your files again. Basically, RansomWare is a way for criminals to hold your files and information hostage, and make it inaccessible for you to use, or even view until you pay their fee.
RansomWare is installed in a few ways; when you open an email attachment infected by the malware, when you visit an infected site, or when you click on an infected link through email, instant message, or social networking site.
The easiest way to avoid being infected is to be aware of what you are clicking on, and what it may lead to. If you are unsure about an email attachment or a website link, do not click on it. It is also important that you ensure your virus protection is up-to-date and will protect you from RansomWare, as many virus programs do not.
The anti-virus programs used by Technology by Design for our clients ensure protection from RansomWare. In event of RansomWare being installed on a computer, payment to the cybercriminals can be avoided if backups are done regularly.
For more information on our anti-virus programs or our scheduled backups, call 204-800-3166 or email helpdesk@tbyd.ca. For more information on the types of RansomWare currently out there, look at the “Alert” section of our website at tbyd.ca.
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