What is "Ransomware" & how to Prevent it ?

 "Ransomware"

What does Ransomware mean?

Ransomware is a type of malware program that controls, locks or controls a system and asks for a ransom to undo it. Ransomware attacks and transmits a computer with the intention of collecting money from its owner. Ransomware can also be referred to as a crypto virus, crypto-trojan or crypto-worm.

Ransomware is usually installed in the system by visiting a malicious email attachment, infected software downloads and / or any malicious website or link. When the system is infected with the rangemware, it is locked, the user's files are encrypted or the user is restricted from accessing the computer's key features. The ransomware will send a pop-up window, so that the user has to pay a special ransom to recover the computer or to activate it again. In addition, some queenswear based applications claim to hide or hide themselves as a police or a government agency, which claims that the user's system is closed for security reasons and it is OK to reactivate it Or fee is required.

But is ransomware a virus?

No. Viruses infect your files or software, and have the capability to repeat, but ransomware bundles to make your files unusable, then you ask for payment, they can be removed from both an antivirus, but if If you have the possibility of encrypting your files, you will never get them back.

How does a Ransomware works?

Ransomware usually enters the device in the form of a trojan, asserting as user-consciously or unwittingly downloaded as a normal file. After the execution, the environment is triggered to encrypt files on an infected device, and usually indicates a message to the victim that their files can only be decrypted if the raid is paid to the attackers. Operators are ready to pay, which can not provide code or programs to decrypt files . Failure to pay the ransom within the given time limit may result in increasing sum assured or amount of encrypted files.The most effective and hazardous types of ransomware are those, where only creators of the program have access to the decryption key, usually Renu is paid in bitcoin or other digital currencies that detect difficulties..

How many types of Ransomware's are there?

There are many types of Ransomware's some of comes in different shapes and sizes. Some variants are more harmful than others, but all of them generally have one thing is same which is Ransom:-

• CryptoLocker

• The crypto locker was discovered on September 15, 2013 and it is considered the first modern tension of ransomware. It was distributed through e-mail attachments and bottles to encrypt files on Windows computers and any mounted drives. Even though the crypto locker itself was easy to remove from infected devices, the file was encrypted, and the only possible way to access files was to pay a ransom requested by cyber criminals through the payment bitoke or pre-paid cash voucher for the decryption key. was taken. In May 2014, the crypto locker was taken by a team of researchers in government agencies, security companies and Operation Towers, who recovered the private encryption key used for decryption and distributed randoms and distributions of the distribution. It has been estimated that a joint $ 3 million was charged through the crypto locker attacks.

• CryptoWall

• The discovery of cryptowall was done on June 19, 2014 and is not related to crypto lockers in any way. It has gone through several releases with different names and has not yet been separated. It was distributed via initial kit and email, but recently linked to malicious advertisements and compromised websites.CryptoWall encrypts files and removes any VSS or shadow copies to prevent data recovery After the transition, the computer displays a web page or text document that provides payment instructions to the user.

• SAMAS / Samsam / Samsa

• Samas, which is probably the most destructive form of ransomware, was first searched on December 9, 2015. Code of Samas is not particularly advanced, but distribution methods are more targeted than other attacks. Cyber ​​criminals will first identify the specific networks that are anabapted server running the Jebos Enterprise products. Once accessed, the operators will move more from the entry point laterally to identify more hosts. After sufficient system violation, the Ransomware has been deployed manually. Like cryptowall, the samosas will destroy the original files and destroy the shadow copies after a demand payment in bitcoin. However, unlike past tensions, the majority of the Samoan attacks have focused on hospitals, schools and other networks, which are sensitive information trovas, which can be sold for greater profit.

• locky

• It was Detected on February 16, 2016, Locky is one of the most modern Ransomware strains. Like most, it is distributed through a malicious email attachment, encrypts files on the main computer, and the mounted device deletes the shadow copies of the original files, and demands a ransom in return for the decryption key. However, the locky can be easily identified by other types of ransomware because it renames all files with the locky extension,It also changes the computer's desktop wallpaper to an image file that displays the ruined message which is impossible to ignore.

• Skyware

• Skyware is fake software (such as an antivirus or cleaning device) that claims problems on your PC and demands money to fix them. Some variants lock your computer, others disrupt your screen with hassle alerts and pop-ups.

• Doxware

• Doxware (or leakware) is at risk of publishing your theft information online. If you do not pay, we all store infected files on our PC (photos of embarrassment from contracts and personal documents), so it is easy to see that Why terror may be

• RAS

• RAS (Ransomware as a service) is malformed randomly by a hacker who handles everything - in exchange for a cut of a ransom, distributing RanSware, collecting payments, managing decrypters

• Android ransomware

• Your Android mobile devices are not safe from any range software, even a WannaCry copy that spreads on gaming platforms and targets Android devices in China. Since the data can be easily restored by syncing devices, cyber criminals often prefer to block their own smartphones instead of simply encrypting their files.

• Mac ransomware

• Although it takes more than opening an email attachment or clicking on a link to infect Apple devices, Mac Rhenshomware is also increasing. The latest malware affecting Mac is coded by software engineers, which is a feature in OS X. Cyber ​​criminals have often targeted iCloud accounts or tried to lock the smartphone through my iPhone system find.

Best Practices for Ransomware Protection's

You can take several steps in Protective Ransomware Protection:

• Regular and often backup your files: Hardworking data backup processes in place can limit the damage caused by a ransomware attack, as encrypted data can be restored without ransom

• Complete the operating system and any software update as soon as possible: Software updates usually have patches for security vulnerabilities and should be installed as soon as they are made available. Enable automatic updates to streamline this process whenever possible.

• Do not click on email attachments or links from insufficient sources: Email is a popular medium for phishing attacks, which distributes other malware through a link to infected attachments or malicious websites

• Disable Autorun for all mounted devices: Disabling autorun can prevent malware from being able to propagate autonomously, a significant step containing malware infection should be transition.

• Disable Macro Content in Microsoft Office Applications: In many cases, ransomware is transmitted through infected Microsoft Office documents, which contains malicious macros which run once after malware is downloaded and run. Disabling macros by default can help prevent compromises even if the user can open the infected file.

• Deploy security software to consolidate Ransomware protection: There are many solutions that can help prevent ransomware infections. At minimum, antivirus solutions and firewalls can help prevent common malware strains known. For added security, companies should consider interval detection and feedback and advanced threat protection solutions in order to improve the detection and blocking capabilities of Ransomware as well as the application whitelist to block the execution of malicious code. There can also be solutions.

• Finally, awareness and education for the end users and organizations equally important to protect against Ransomware attacks. By educating yourself and your users on basic conservation practices and by maintaining the current security threats, you can reduce the risk of RansomWare and keep your data safe.

How to remove ransomware?

In fact, it is similar to removing the virus or any other common type of malware. here is how malware are manually remove it.Things are a little more complicated if your PC is infected with a locker, which prevents you from entering Windows or running a program.

  There are 3 ways to fix this:-

1. To restore a system back to Windows at a point where your PC was still safe
2. Run your antivirus program from a bootable disk or an external drive, 
3. Or reinstall your operating system.