16/05/2017
*USERS BEWARE*
PLEASE SHARE TO SPREAD AWARENESS!
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As many of you may have heard recently, there has been a massive cyberattack that has affected 150+ countries and over 200,000 people in total. This was caused by malicious software known as “ransomware”.
What is Ransomware?
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Ransomware is malicious software also known as malware which encrypts the users’ data and will not be decrypted until the user pays a ransom (Hence the name!) to the hacker. This can lead to users not being able to access documents and files which in some cases can be of extreme value to the user. For example – The cyberattack on the NHS.
How can I avoid being a victim of a ransomware attack?
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First and foremost, absolutely everyone should have anti-virus software installed and up to date on their computer, also remember to keep your operating system (Windows/Mac Os/Linux) up to date by installing updates when they become available.
Although we know these updates can be annoying and it can be extremely tempting to postpone them, it is essential to run them as soon as possible because they often contain important security updates that can keep your system secure.
It is important to be vigilant when browsing through your emails. The reason for this is that ransomware and other malicious software are often sent via email disguised as a legitimate mail and can easily be mistaken if the user isn’t paying proper attention to detail.
(TIP: Legitimate companies will not make spelling mistakes while more often than not these malicious emails will contain multiple, also it is a good idea to check the authenticity of the sender’s email address.)
Finally, always keep a backup of your data stored externally. Whether that be on an external hard drive or via a cloud service (Google drive, dropbox, etc.) This minimalizes the loss should you be the victim of a ransomware attack. It also saves you hundreds of euro as you won’t have to pay the hackers to decrypt your files. (Which is not recommended as even if you do pay the ransom, you are never guaranteed that they will actually restore your files.)
What should I do if my Pc is already infected with ransomware?
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The severity of this can either be catastrophic or mild, depending on whether you have backed up your files or not.
If you have your files backed up:
Contact your local computer technician, who will be able to completely wipe and fully reinstall your operating system with all the files you have backed up. This is great due to the fact that you save hundreds of euros yourself and also you are supporting a legitimate computer business rather than cyber criminals.
If you do NOT have your files backed up:
Unfortunately, if you do not have your files backed up you have two options.
(1)NOT recommended:
You can pay the ransom to the hackers in the hopes that they deliver on their promise to decrypt your files. (Which they may not.)
(2)Recommended:
You can contact your local computer technician and have your hard drive wiped and operating system fully reinstalled. Sadly, nothing can be done about your files at this point but your technician can help you get back on your feet.
Conclusion:
Being the victim of a ransomware attack is extremely frustrating and can ruin months or even years of hard work if you don’t backup your files. Remember to always keep a backup of your data and remain vigilant online. The internet is full of people who want to steal your data and exploit you for their own gain, it’s up to you to prevent them from doing so.
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Stay safe,
The Aspire Team.
PS – Contact us today for a free check-up.
PPS – We offer anti-virus for as little as €25 for a full year!
