Infection is often discreet and goes unnoticed . It is typically detected once the first anomalies appear. This may include files crashing, screen freezes, a sudden pop-up window asking for money or stating that files are no longer accessible, or data being converted into incomprehensible strings of characters.
Ransomware attacks can be particularly damaging, especially since newer versions often include stronger encryption , making it harder to bypass them. Additionally, attackers are not always satisfied with list of belgium whatsapp phone numbers just a first payment, but ask for more. In some cases, they don't even give you the decryption key for your data after you pay the ransom.
Hackers can demand ransoms of very different sizes. Often, they only extort a few hundred dollars. But increasingly, attacks are targeting specific victims. These are no longer random phishing campaigns, but spear phishing campaigns that require large amounts of information, which must be collected in advance. In these cases, known as “ big game hunting ,” they demand ransoms in the order of several million dollars . That is why it is more important than ever to do everything possible to prevent ransomware attacks.
There are two types of ransomware:
Encryption ransomware: It incorporates advanced encryption algorithms, designed to lock system files. Victims are required to pay to obtain the key that can decrypt the locked content.
Locker ransomware: Locker ransomware locks victims out of the operating system, making it impossible for them to access their desktop, applications, or files. Victims have no choice but to pay to unlock their data.
5 tips to avoid ransomware attacks
Follow these 5 tips to avoid ransomware infections:
An infographic with the top 5 ways to avoid ransomware attacks; what is ransomware?
1/ Make multiple backups periodically
Backups are by far the most efficient way to protect yourself against ransomware attacks… as long as you do it effectively.
For each backup, it is crucial to make multiple copies of your files and store them on different media . You should store each media separately and in different locations. Ideally, one of them will be offline (on a secure external drive), and the other will be on a secure and private cloud-based service.
