What is ‘Ransomware’ attack, how it works and how to protect your computer against it

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Ransomware is a type of malicious software which blocks access to data until a ransom is paid. It also displays message to pay certain amount to unlock the locked filed. This software encrypts the files on hard disk, making it inaccessible.

How it works

  1. Attacker will send an email which contains viruses.
  2. Email tricks the victim into clicking on attachment or visit a webpage.
  3. Once clicked, the virus starts spreading.
  4. Virus will then encrypt files on your hard disk and makes it inaccessible.
  5. Finally will ask to pay certain amount as ‘Ransom’ to decrypt the files.

How to defend against the ransomware

  1. All versions of Windows prior to Windows 10 are vulnerable to ‘Ransomware’ but Windows 10 is safe from it.
  2. As Windows 10 is safe from “Ransomware” attack, running Windows Update on systems will defend from it. Even before Friday’s attack, all those who updated systems were largely protected from it.
  3. To defend computer running on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 8 against ransomware, downloading the new patch from Windows.
  4. All users can protect themselves by being cautious of any malicious email attachments.