Technology has brought the entire world to our fingertips. Everything is just a click away. You wish it, and you get it. Similarly, it has also enslaved us. Ransomware is malicious software that can encrypt all of your data within seconds and freeze everything till you do what they ask for. It works in a very simple way. You open your email account or go online and browse through the internet till you are asked to download specific software or program which is just as simple as ABC.
If you fall for the scam and click on it and download it, you will be getting yourself in a serious scam which will result in paying through your nose. The hackers only decrypt your files once you agree to pay them a ransom amount. Airports, banks, hospitals, and other service companies have been a victim of these attacks. In most cases, they were not able to recover all their files. Home users have also become an easy target for these hackers as home-based devices are usually not given so much importance as to get them properly protected.
So how can you protect your phone, tablets, iPads, and PCs from these malicious agents? Make stronger and wiser decisions. When we say stronger, we mean keep your phones protected by using the best available antivirus software. By wiser, we mean do not be fooled in giving your devices’ protection codes to anyone. Ransomware has only been successful where people didn’t pay much attention on protecting their devices. Here are some useful tips:
- While checking your emails, do not give away your password or any other personal information to anyone. Do not reveal any kind of personal information over the phone too. Often people call for collecting data for surveys or offer prizes or discounts for which they ask for certain personal data which can later be used to blackmail people.
- Keep your gadgets protected by using reputable antivirus software. Use a firewall to prevent the devices from accepting any suspicious files. Make sure your devices are updated and scanned every day to ensure that the system is well protected. Any kind of undesirable activity should be reported immediately to an IT department.
- Use back up for all your files. It is highly recommended that you keep a back up all your important files and data either on a removable device like a USB or online on a Cloud.
- Do not pay any kind of ransom if you become a victim of a scam. Report it the cybercrime agency in your city and let them deal with it.
- Train all your family members to learn to protect their passwords and personal information from strangers.
In the end, remember ransomware is only applicable to those who do not have well-known antivirus software. And to people who do not use firewalls and are an easy target, and who give away personal information easily.
