What is a Ransomware?
Ransomware is malware that prevents or limits users in accessing their devices. This forces its victims to pay the ransom through online payment methods to restore access or get their data back.
How can I get infected?
Users who visit malicious or compromised websites may have downloaded the ransomware, unwittingly. It can also arrive as a payload that another malware have either dropped or downloaded. Some are delivered as attachments to spammed email.
Once executed, it can either lock the computer screen or encrypt files with a password.
Cybercriminals use online payment methods, such as Ukash, PaySafeCard, MoneyPAK or Bitcoin as a way to pay the ransom. However, it does not guarantee they will restore your system or files to you.
How can I prevent infection?
- Always check who the email sender is.
If the email is supposedly coming from a bank, verify with your bank if the message is legitimate. If it came from a personal contact, confirm if your contact sent the message. Do not rely solely on trust by virtue of relationship, as your friend or family member may be a victim of spammers as well.
- Double-check the content of the message.
There are obvious factual errors or discrepancies that you can spot. For example, if your bank or a friend claims that they have received something from you, try to go to your recently sent items to double-check their claim. Such spammed messages can also use other social engineering lures to persuade users to open the message.
- Avoid clicking links in email.
It is safer to visit any site mentioned in email directly. If you have to click on a link in email, make sure your browser uses web reputation services to check the link, or you can use free services such as Trend Micro Site Safety Center.
- Always ensure your software is up-to-date.
Regularly updating installed software provides another layer of security against many attacks.
- Backup important data.
One good practice is to ensure you have the latest backups of your files. The 3-2-1 principle should be in play: three copies, two different media, one separate location.
- Download from legitimate sites or sources.
Only download programs and files from credible websites and not from other sites that just indicate they have the actual file or program.
How Can Trend Micro Protect Me From Ransomware?
Trend Micro Security blocks these threats from possible points of infection. It prevents access to dangerous websites, including harmful links from social networks, spam and email messages. It also warns the user about running recently downloaded files.
Set up Folder Shield to Enhance Protection
Folder Shield protects your key documents to prevent Ransomware from modifying your files.
I Got Ransomware Infection
Download our free Decrypt Tool to attempt to retrieve files Crypto Ransomware encrypted.
You can also manually restore encrypted files after infection.
