Here Are Some Ways to Protect Yourself From Ransomware | Antivirus Software

 

Take a backup copy of your files

The biggest damage to a ransomware attack is the loss of files, such as documents and photos. The best protection against ransomware is to back up all files and information on your devices into a completely separate system. The best place to save backup files is on an external hard drive that is not connected to the Internet. This means that if you are attacked, you will not lose any information due to hackers.

Companies often save copies of their data on external servers that are not affected if the main network comes under attack.

Be wary of emails, websites, and apps

For the ransomware to work, hackers need to download malware onto the victims' computers. Then these programs are used to launch the attack and encrypt the data.

Among the most common ways to install software on a victim's computer is through emails, malicious ads on websites, and unsecured applications and programs. So people should be careful when opening unwanted emails or visiting websites that they do not know. And don't download an app that hasn't been verified by an unofficial store, and read reviews before installing programs.

Use an anti-virus program

Antivirus software can stop ransomware from working and prevent it from being loaded on computers, and it can find malware and cancel it.

Most antivirus programs can check the information for ransomware before downloading it. It can block confidential files and malicious ads when you are browsing and search for malware that may already be present on your computer or any other device.

Always install updates

Companies often release software updates to fix ransomware vulnerabilities that are being exploited. Therefore it is always advisable to download the latest version of the program immediately after launching it.

Never pay the ransom

Victims of ransomware attacks are advised to never pay the ransom because it encourages attackers and may not lead to the recovery of files that were encrypted. Several programs can help in decrypting files. Or, if you have a backup, you can restore your device.

My computer is not running Windows XP, am I safe?

The recent wave of malware targets computers running Windows XP or they are among the most affected categories, but even if you are using the latest Windows system, you must ensure that you have the appropriate updates and security software on your computer to protect you against viruses or malware.

In March 2017, Microsoft released an update or patch that protects users of Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 operating systems from WannaCry and Limited Ransomware attacks. Security update “MS17-010” can be found here.

You should also ensure that you have the most recent security software installed on your computer to fight viruses. In the latest versions of Windows (10, 8, 8.1) your computer will come with the standard antivirus system “Windows Defender” installed automatically. This serves as a guard against many types of viruses and malware such as ransomware.

If you are using Windows 7, you can download the anti-virus program provided by Microsoft for free, which is Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus software is that helps protect against viruses, and this program can be downloaded from here.

How to update Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a powerful program that comes installed automatically with Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 operating systems, but this program needs to be updated periodically, and this update process is free and can be done with ease:

Type in the Windows Defender search box.

The program will appear for you in the search results, click on it.

On the top click on Update, then click on Update definition

The program will start downloading the update from the Internet, which takes some time depending on the speed of your Internet connection.

After completing the download, the program will inform you of the success of the operation Then the program will automatically protect your device from viruses, malware, and hacking.

Any other advice?

Regardless of downloading the antivirus software or upgrading your computer to the latest operating system, there are some small tips to help you avoid viruses or malware which are:

Microsoft advises users to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from emails that come from unknown people.

He also recommends using adblockers like AdBlock Plus, which blocks most potentially dangerous pop-ups or malicious links that may appear on your screen.

What should I do if my computer is infected?

There are different types of ransomware, so there is no single easy solution to restore your computer if it has been infected with a virus. If ransomware has blocked access to the web browser, the solution to regaining control might be to access the task manager on your computer and stop the web browser program from working.

If the ransomware infected and shut down your computer completely, as in the recent large-scale cyber attack, it will be more difficult to combat this. You may have to download a specific protection program to an uninfected computer and then try to transfer it to the affected computer using a CD or USB Flash.

Detailed instructions on how to try to troubleshoot or turn off the device if your computer is infected can be found here.

Is my country at risk of a ransomware attack?

Some experts said that as many as 99 countries may have been affected by the recent attack. It is believed to be the largest attack of its kind ever recorded.

The worst-hit country appears to be Russia, with the Ministries of Interior and Emergencies hit, as well as the largest bank, Sberbank. The Russian Interior Ministry said on its website that about a thousand computers had been infected with the virus. Spain, Ukraine, and India have also been hit hard, according to researchers from the Kaspersky Lab.

According to several agencies, the malware has hit at least 74 countries. However, researchers who work with the security software company Avast said that they observed 57,000 cases of infection in 99 countries, noting also that Taiwan is among the most important targets. Spain's Telefónica, a global broadband and telecommunications company, was among the hit. Portugal Telecom and Telefónica Argentina were also targeted. International shipping company FedEx said some Windows computers were also infected.

Security researchers said they have observed that some victims pay with Bitcoin, although they do not know what percentage of the payment is.

Spain took steps to protect critical infrastructure in response to the attack. Authorities said they were continuing to work with more than 100 energy, transport, communications, and financial services providers on the attack. Telefónica said the attack was limited to some computers on an internal network and did not affect clients or services. In the USA, the impact of the breach has not been seen widely, at least for the time being.

A ransomware attack map

Countries Affected by the Ransomware Cyber ​​Attack

Is there a greater risk that could happen?

Experts say the same could happen to critical infrastructures such as nuclear power plants, dams, or rail networks. This is not a children's game, and serious matters have not happened yet. What if the same thing happened to 10 nuclear power plants, which would cut off all electricity to entire cities, and imagine if exactly the same thing happened to water dams or bridges?

This attack affected 10,000 computers, and there is no barrier preventing it from reaching 100 million computers in the future.

You may also be interested: 

Methods for converting laptop into a wireless router without pictures

Best indispensable Android apps 2016

How to download the original and updated version of Windows 10