What Is Ransomware? All About These Malware

Ransomware : We are passionate about talking about computer security. That’s why we recently did a review of the best VPNs, and that’s why today we come to talk to you about what ransomware is and how it works! It turns out that not all malicious hackers seek only to annoy us, but there are some whose main objective is to profit economically from it. 

And how do they manage to monetize something like that? Stealing our bank account details and emptying them without us noticing? No, with this form of blackmail they get us to give them the money ourselves. Of course, today we are going to give you all the keys so that you do not have to regret the effects of a ransomware attack, take good note!

What Is Ransomware?

Before going into more depth in the definition of ransomware, we will give you a fact that you can check right now and that will help you tremendously to understand the concept. If you put ‘ransomware’ in Google translate I will tell you that, in English, it means ‘data hijacking’, and that is precisely what the thing is about. When talking about what ransomware is, we have to talk about malicious attacks on our computer equipment. Of course, the pirates that carry them out are not dedicated to eliminating all our information, at least not from the outset. Then?

A ransomware attack is much more structured than a simple virus infection, a Trojan or a worm., And it is that with it it is not only intended to punch the affected user: the main objective of ransomware is to take out the rooms. Or what is the same, block our data to release them in exchange for a ransom that we must pay in the form of cash. This damage, which on a personal level is a destruction, becomes a real headache at the business level. And it is one thing to lose some photos, or the keys to a personal bank account, and quite another to lose millions of dollars, sometimes dozens of them, until you get back to normal.

In these cases, the cacos are not stupid, they usually demand payment in cryptocurrencies, much more difficult to track by the authorities. And now that we know what ransomware is, how does it work? The first thing you need, like the vast majority of viruses, is for us to open the door for you. An email with a link, an infected pen drive, a malignant website that we do not see coming… Then, the kidnapping. And, if we don’t solve it  that’s when the catastrophe comes.

What To Do If You Suffer A Ransomware Attack?

The first thing that comes to mind after a ransomware attack is how to remove it. It is a malware designed for large companies, so it is most likely that they ask us for exorbitant amounts. Anyway, even if we paid, no one guarantees that they would not want to take advantage of it again. Decrypting a ransomware is practically impossible, hence many large companies prefer to end up paying the well-known ransom to even try. So, we only have to see what to do to avoid being infected by ransomware, how to avoid it.

At this point, we must take into account three different but totally complementary ways, with which we must always be especially neat:

• The first is that we must always have an active antivirus. There are very competent free options, such as Avast, although in this type of case we are usually more protected if we pay for it.
• The second thing we must do is get used to making backup copies of our files. Backups are very lazy, but now that we know what ransomware is, we know that having our files replicated is life insurance in such a situation. Of course, it is convenient to have them controlled in a cloud service or on an external hard drive without an internet connection. Why? Because if we leave them on the same PC as the originals… everything will be encrypted and useless!
• Finally, we must always be very responsible both with the type of links we access and with the files we open on our computers. If we do not trust the source, it is best to move on from the subject.

This, as we say, to prevent ransomware. Because in case of being infected we only have to denounce and pray, but most likely we will not use either of the two things.

Types Of Ransomware

With ransomware types it happens as with the storms lately: we know them more by their nicknames than by their technical name. Two good examples of ransomware that illustrate this are the Egregor ransomware (successor to Maze) and the Roger ransomware. The two of them alone have worried the whole world in recent times. However, when it comes to knowing what one or the other type does, it is convenient to know what they are and what we face with them:

• The most fearsome type of ransomware is file coders, does the mythical Wanna Cry sound like something? Most of these types of threats are file coders, and they are characterized by giving us a certain time: either we pay, or our files will be destroyed forever and ever.
• Scareware scares because it fills the screen with ads suddenly. However, barking dog, little biter. If you ever have to face a ransomware, let it be against one of these. They are the easiest to remove, usually with a good antivirus.
• Another classic among the classics is the typical message that tells us that our passwords have been stolen. Or that they have videos of us in compromised situations that will be disseminated in case we do not face the payment. This type of malware is called doxing ransomware, and it is the bait it uses to open the door for you. It’s best to get past him!
• Finally, screen lockers directly lock the screens of our devices. This has made them increasingly used against our smartphones, 

There are companies that decide to face millionaire losses rather than succumb to the blackmail of these computer evildoers. You know, prevention is better than cure, and in this case the thing is literal.

Also Read : Wifi Passwords