Ransomware Attacks

Everyone loves those pirate movies but no one loves a cyber pirate. Internet pirates are attacking your computers more than ever now and there is no way to stop them. You can be aware of a possible attack and steps can be taken to avoid them but once they trap you, it may cost you a lot of money and grief. We value our computers and the amount of work we save on them. The thought of having our information compromised can be devastating. How can we protect our personal data in digital platforms?

There was recently a massive global attack that hit more than 200,000 computers in 50 countries. This is only the beginning of these type of attacks. It can be compared to a thief breaking into your home and demanding $300 ransom for your stuff he stole only this time you are notified of this attack on your computer stuff. The practice is known as Ransomware Attacks. Your computer will give you an announcement that you need to pay them in order to get your files back. The computer pirates usually demand their ransom payment to be made in Bitcoins that is an untraceable digital currency. This piracy is effecting individual computers as well as the computers of large companies.

The FBI says that 4,000 Ransomware attacks  happen daily targeting companies and individuals alike. So, what can you do?

Anytime you see that there is an update for a software that you have, you shouldn’t install it because those are usually security holds that they are plugging.

When your operating system asks to run a system or security update, say Yes! everytime  and if you can, choose to make it automatic.

Try to avoid the attacks entirely. According to Quincy Larson, the founder of Freecodecamp.com. You personally need to be active in not downloading anything that could hurt you. That means,  don’t click on strange attachments. Don’t click on attachments that you are not 100% sure of.

Finally, back up your computer regularly. If you frequently backup your files then you have very little to lose.  Regularly put all your data on an external hard drive or cloud storage service. These precautions will generally give you more control over your data and have them stored in alternate places.  Take your hard drive and reinstall from your backup and you should be safe from those pirates.

The internet is a great place to get information from everywhere on the globe in an instant but it can also be a very dangerous place. The entire idea of sharing currency through Bitcoins is suspect since the practice is totally unregulated and you really don’t know where your money is going to once you change your currency into Bitcoins. So, do not support any site that wants to be paid in Bitcoins. It is too risky.

This society is now trained to go to the internet for all our information needs. Most of our bills are being paid on the internet. Our banking information is on apps now. We purchase most items on an internet site. And now most thieves are on the internet too.