Ransom Malware or Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a computer system by completely depriving its user of accessing it, and demands a ransom payment to regain access
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Overview:
Have you ever came across a situation where your computer screen froze out by showing anote saying "All Your Files Are Encrypted."
Then, unfortunately, you were a victim of a ransomware attack.
So, answer this question, Ransom Malware or Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a computer system by completely depriving its user of accessing it, and demands a ransom payment to regain access. Which can't be a viable option in the first place as most securityresearchers, as well as Microsoft itself, doesn't recommend any user to pay the ransom, as itdoesn't guarantee your recovery. And even if you managed to get back your PC in an earlierform, there are high chances that all your confidential data will be available for sale in anycorner of the web without your knowledge. Moreover, paying for any ransom not only remainsdubious but also boost the enthusiasm of attackers to conduct a large scale ransomware attack.
How Ransomware infects your system.
Before we get into the details, as a victim, you have to understand what type of ransomware blocked your access. As this deceptive virtual attack trails back in the late 1980s.
It was the very first ransomware, known to be PC Cyborg or AIDS. PC Cyborg primarily targetsthe C Drive of PC for encrypting. And after 90 reboots, the user could see the ransom demandof $189 to renew their license by sending it through mail to PC Cyborg Corp. At the same time,the encryption wasn't that much intimidating as it used to pose little threat to those who werecomputer savvy by a simple reverse engineering technique.
However, with the passing time, this ransomware's evolved heavily, which no longer lets thesituation to be like what it was earlier.
The entire process of getting infected from ransomware includes many unfold paths. And like wise, there are endless options for ransomware to track its way inside the central processing unit of a system.
Out of them, the most emerging tactic is through planting malicious spam, or malspam, anunsolicited email is used to deliver the malware.
Such email often contains pre planned-trap in the form attachments, such as links to maliciouswebsites, a PDF, Doc Files etc. And hacker leverages the social engineering technique toconvince the target to perform the desired activity mentioned in that malicious email.
For instance, in the recent past, given the current scenario, hackers send an email pretending tobe on behalf of WHO with a bit of free healthcare kit, including malicious content to trap prey. And they have also developed a malicious app which imitates like WHO.
So, if anyone installs it in their system, it'll lead to blocking the complete access to your data's.Besides, ransomware can enter into your system from various other sources like malvertising,malicious sites, forum, etc.
Types of Ransomware.
So, you are sceptical whether your system got infected by any form of Ransomeware. However,you aren't sure about anything as such, because the symptoms are familiar to you. In this casehere are a couple of signs and symptoms that can help you to identify that your system gotinfected to any ransomware.
●Slowing down, Lagging, Jitters are visible very often in your system.
●Intrusive Ads are displayed frequently.
●Multiple systems crash in a short period.
●Pop-up prompt text.
●Consumption of your internet bandwidth increases suspiciously.
●You can detect subtle changes in your browser homepage.
●Unusual traffic rerouted to your system and shows messages unexpectedly.
●Default System Security is disabled.
All these points are a simple indication of ransomware.
And after identifying the culprit in your system, now you have to figure out whether you arebeing infected by ransomware or a simple program that acts like one.
●Screen locking or Non-encrypting ransomware denies the access to files and data;however, doesn't encrypt the data inside your system, which can also be translated to asituation where your IT system entirely froze out.
●Encrypting Ransomware or Cryptoware is ransomware which leaves the entire systemencrypted, including every file save in your system. And it is by far the most commonransomware emerged in the recent past.
●Another type of ransomware is also evident in many systems. Although it's not actuallyransomware, however, tries to act like full-fledged ransomware. In this instance a simpleweb program will almost fill up your computer screen with intrusive ads of variousthird-party antivirus companies stating "Your system is hacked, to get it back you have topay for the antivirus solution", and this type of fluke mostly works, where the user doesn'tuse their cognitive skills to comprehend these things in a better wayAll these points are a simple indication of ransomware.And after identifying the culprit in your system, now you have to figure out whether you arebeing infected by ransomware or a simple program that acts like one.
●Screen locking or Non-encrypting ransomware denies the access to files and data;however, doesn't encrypt the data inside your system, which can also be translated to asituation where your IT system entirely froze out.
●Encrypting Ransomware or Cryptoware is ransomware which leaves the entire systemencrypted, including every file save in your system. And it is by far the most commonransomware emerged in the recent past.
●Another type of ransomware is also evident in many systems. Although it's not actuallyransomware, however, tries to act like full-fledged ransomware. In this instance a simpleweb program will almost fill up your computer screen with intrusive ads of variousthird-party antivirus companies stating "Your system is hacked, to get it back you have topay for the antivirus solution", and this type of fluke mostly works, where the user doesn'tuse their cognitive skills to comprehend these things in a better way.
Steps to counter a RansomewareAttack.
Ransomware poses a significant threat to all sectors of business, especially the healthcaresector, which received various cyber attacks in the recent past.
And with the growing demand to remain operational & functional from remote space also addeda cherry on the top for cybercriminals to exploit the landscape of WFH culture.
While there are innumerous steps to take in getting encrypted by ransomware, however, notevery step turned out to restore your system as not every ransomware has a decryptor.Here is our stand to counter this attack.
●Disconnect Encrypted System: The very first step towards countering anencrypted system from ransomware is to disconnect it from any network. As it may notremove the encryption, but it'll undoubtedly prevent the ransomware from spreadingacross other devices on the same network.
●Identify the Infected Ransomeware: Try to identify the type of ransomware infected your system. And to do the same, youcan also use the image to search for the ransomware, or you can look for the fileextension like .zepto, .locky, .cry or any common file types to get an idea about the rateof infection in servers, drivers, files in your system.
●Endpoint Analysis: Analyse the infected files, and trail your way to the end-user terminal and take necessaryactions to mitigate the encryption at the source.
●Deployment of Decryptors: Before proceeding with the decryption, make sure to create a separate backup of theentire encrypted system in the event of bricking the files. To deploy the tool, you have tofind out the specific devices if you don't have any free options available for your infectedransomware.
●Reconfigure before reconnecting: Instead of removing the files manually, run a factory reset of the complete system so thatthere are no traces left for the malicious program to re-enter into your system.
Keypoints.
●Maintain dual backups: A best practice towards safeguarding your data irrespective of whatever reasons it may be is tomaintain multiple backups in various formats and different locations.●Keep your system updatedNever forget to leave your system in the open, always keep it up to date with the latest firmwareupdate & security patches, which will not only prevent any data breaches or cyber-attacks butwill also increase the life span of it.
●Cybersecurity Policies: Organisations who come up with a robust cybersecurity policy and maintain it like any otherpolicy can sustain though this attacks and retain their position in the marketplace without anyhiccups.
●Increase awareness among employees: With the emerging security concerns over various organisations primarily through this pandemic,are at peak. While there is a demand for robust cybersecurity policies and solution for theoverall protection of the organisation, so does the employees who require to get hands-onexperience on these operations in their workplace. Making them familiar with variouscybersecurity concepts which are mostly needed for the data protection of the organisation is anindispensable part of the whole endeavour.So, to address this concern company should organise and conduct various workshops,webinars, training program to educate the employees and increase their awareness regularly onphishing simulation attacks, informative tutorials.And knowing these concepts will not only help the organisation to prevent future cyberattacks,but it'll build up as the best defence against any such activities.
Ransomware or any cyber attacks can be inevitable anytime, so remaining fully preparedagainst any such cyberattacks keeps the integrity, credibility and name of the organisation intact.
