Ransomware: What You Need to Know

Have you ever heard of ransomware? It’s a nasty type of malware that locks up your files or systems and asks for money to unlock them. If you don’t pay, you might lose your data forever or have it leaked online. Sounds scary, right?

Ransomware has been around for a while, but it’s getting more advanced and common these days. According to a report by CISA, there were almost 200 million ransomware attacks in the first half of 2018, which is more than double the number from the same period in 2017. Some of the most famous ransomware attacks include WannaCry, which hit over 200,000 computers in 150 countries in 2017; Petya/NotPetya, which targeted businesses and critical infrastructure in Ukraine and other countries in 2017; and Colonial Pipeline, which shut down the largest fuel pipeline in the US for six days in 2021.

So how does ransomware work? Usually, it comes as a Trojan that pretends to be a normal file that you download or open from an email or a website. But once you do, it encrypts your files or systems and shows you a ransom note. Sometimes, ransomware can also spread by itself through networks or exploit weaknesses in software or systems. Ransomware attackers often ask for payment in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are hard to track and get back.

How can you protect yourself from ransomware? Here are some tips:

  • Back up your important files regularly and keep them offline or on a separate device.
  • Update your software and systems with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
  • Don’t open suspicious email attachments or links from unknown senders or sources.
  • Learn about the risks and signs of ransomware and how to report incidents.
  • Have a plan and a team ready in case of a ransomware attack.

Ransomware is a serious cyber threat that can have terrible consequences for its victims. By following these tips, you can reduce your chances and impact of ransomware attacks.

Ransomware: What You Need to Know

Have you ever heard of ransomware? It’s a nasty type of malware that locks up your files or systems and asks for money to unlock them. If you don’t pay, you might lose your data forever or have it leaked online. Sounds scary, right?

Ransomware has been around for a while, but it’s getting more advanced and common these days. According to a report by CISA, there were almost 200 million ransomware attacks in the first half of 2018, which is more than double the number from the same period in 2017. Some of the most famous ransomware attacks include WannaCry, which hit over 200,000 computers in 150 countries in 2017; Petya/NotPetya, which targeted businesses and critical infrastructure in Ukraine and other countries in 2017; and Colonial Pipeline, which shut down the largest fuel pipeline in the US for six days in 2021.

So how does ransomware work? Usually, it comes as a Trojan that pretends to be a normal file that you download or open from an email or a website. But once you do, it encrypts your files or systems and shows you a ransom note. Sometimes, ransomware can also spread by itself through networks or exploit weaknesses in software or systems. Ransomware attackers often ask for payment in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are hard to track and get back.

How can you protect yourself from ransomware? Here are some tips:

  • Back up your important files regularly and keep them offline or on a separate device.
  • Update your software and systems with the latest security patches and antivirus software.
  • Don’t open suspicious email attachments or links from unknown senders or sources.
  • Learn about the risks and signs of ransomware and how to report incidents.
  • Have a plan and a team ready in case of a ransomware attack.

Ransomware is a serious cyber threat that can have terrible consequences for its victims. By following these tips, you can reduce your chances and impact of ransomware attacks.

Welcome to my CyberNightmare

Cyber Nightmares (TM) are a series of guides designed to keep readers and their customers safe.

CyberNightmares Book 1

How to Achieve Network Security: Using Risk Assessment and Game Theory to Protect Your Systems

About the Book

As a business or corporate leader 

  • Does the idea of dealing with cybersecurity seem overwhelming? After all, who wants to deal with how to protect your connected systems, hardwared, software, and data from hacks and cyberattacks?
  • Is your current strategy to hope your systems and data will never be harmed?
    (It always happens to someone else...until it happens to you) 
  • Are you wondering how in the world to start addressing this, when all the articles and books you see about protecting your digital assets are so technical that they may as well have been written in a foreign language? 

This book is for you!

Book 1 in the CyberNightmares Series:

How to Achieve Network Security: Using Risk Assessment and Game Theory to Protect Your Systems 

Did you know that, over the past decade, these 3 factors have been present in 80% of the reported data breaches

  • Stolen or weak passwords
  • Weakly Authenticated Administrative Access
  • Missing Security Patches for Software or Operating Systems

Right Now, You can get the Kindle version of the book for just $9.99!

The good news is that all of these are behavioral issues that can be easily addressed. This handbook helps you can do just that, with resources you likely already have. There are several things you can do personally and in your company policy to reduce these factors today …without a huge budget

About the Author

Wolf Halton has been in Information Technology roles since before there was a named IT Industry. He holds a Master’s Degree in IT Project Management and Leadership with a focus on Information Security. He spent six years working his way up from adjunct to acting chair of the School of Computer Networking at a technical college in Atlanta GA, where he taught penetration testing, Python programming, and operating systems.

In addition to serving as a consultant to colleges to create graduate degrees (Master’s and PhD) in IT Security, he has been lead author of four textbooks, a course, and about a dozen articles about the nuts and bolts of how systems are compromised (hacked). Most recently he has worked with large companies in the Financial and Communications Industries as a Principal Security Architect, focused generally on Compliance and Policy.

How to Achieve Network Security: Using Risk Assessment and Game Theory to Protect Your Systems  Get Your Copy Today

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