The Ransomware Attack That Made You WannaCry

Paranoia has feasted upon countless organisations because of the prevalence of cyberattack. While extreme security measures have already been taken to protect computers from these malicious attacks, hackers are still exhausting all the resources available to them to access sensitive data. On Monday, a global cyberattack left over 150 countries in shock. WannaCry ransomware is another digital extortion racket plaguing organisations all over the world.

So what happens when your computer falls victim to ransomware attack? Ransomware is a type of malware that locks your computer or keyboard so you will no longer have access to your data. You will need to pay a ransom to regain access. The ransom is usually demanded in Bitcoin.

This kind of cyberattack has been an increasing concern because it does not only attack laptops and desktops but mobile phones as well. Ransomware can be in the guise of an app and once attackers work their way into your phone, they will change your PIN and demand a ranson in exchange for access.

Various types of ransomware are on the rise. The scary part is that everyone can be a victim. Your device can be infected via a malicious website or e-mail.

Can you protect your devices from ransomware?

The good news is, you can still protect yourself from these malicious attacks. According to experts, ransomware  infects machines by getting individuals to download it via email. The malicious code unknowingly travels to a network of computers, which were linked together using Windows file-sharing system. This attack could have been prevented, had people been more vigilant by updating their software.

Staying on top of security updates can prevent your device from being infected by ransomware. As simple as it may seem, this solution can save you from any malicious attacks.

Aside from updating your software, installing antivirus software can also prevent malware attack. However, you should keep your antivirus app up to date to ensure you are regularly blocking the latest malware.

Virus can infect your machines via email attachments. Be wary of suspicious pop-ups and emails. If you receive emails from an unknown sender, never be tempted to click links or open attachments. The email address of the sender will give you clues as well. Grammatical errors and typos are tell-tale signs that there is something fishy going on.

If you are being asked to provide sensitive information such as your credit card number, it is recommended that you ignore these emails.

Creating a back up of your data is also necessary because in the event that a hacker hijacks your machine, you will have a copy of your data. For many businesses a security plan is essential because you will never know when the next cybereattack is. As they always say, it is better to be safe than sorry.