“There are only two types of companies: Those that have been hacked and those that will be hacked.” – Robert S. Mueller, III, Director FBI
FBI cautioned netizens on Monday against the increasingly widening threat of ransomware attacks. According to ransomware removal experts, ransomware is a virus that silently enters into a computer system and applies encryption on the files, locking access to them.
FBI states that ransomware attacks are infiltrating different industries including academics, banking sector, business circles and even governmental institutions. The attacks on major cities Atlanta and Baltimore this year reaffirmed the prevailing risks and danger of these cyber attacks.
According to ransomware removal experts, the amount of ransom in these cases range from $100 to $3000. The ransom demand is generally based upon the importance of the data encrypted as well as upon the victim’s profile. Enterprises and conglomerates are generally handed hefty ransom while regular internet users receive considerably lower demands.
Ransomware removal experts explain that in the event of a ransomware infecting a computer, the victim’s PC is then controlled by the hacker who pauses the screen and delivers a message. In the message, hackers refer to themselves as belonging to a law enforcement agency and state that the victim has broken a law. A fine is asked in order to return the access of files to the user.
This strategy is confirmed by FBI as according to Catherine Varnum Policicchio from FBI Pittsburgh Public Affairs Specialist, victims receive a pop-up window that contains information about the hack. The key required to decrypt the files is promised for return by the hackers for some money.
Greg Nelsen expresses FBI’s opinion further and says that FBI strongly discourages paying ransom to an attacker as there is no guarantee involved in these matters. Instead, FBI recommends organizations and individuals to have a contingency plan in the form of backup.
