Skip to main content

WHAT IS RANSOMWARE?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that criminals use to attack computer systems.

Hackers often demand the victim to pay ransom money to access their files or remove harmful programmes.

The aggressive attacks dupe users into clicking on a fake link – whether it's in an email or on a fake website, causing an infection to corrupt the computer.

In some instances, adverts for pornographic websites will repeatedly appear on your screen, while in others, a pop-up will state that a piece of your data will be destroyed if you don't pay.

In the case of the Wanna Decryptor or 'WannaCry' Virus that hit the NHS last month, this targets Microsoft's widely used Windows operating system.

The virus encrypts certain files on the computer and then blackmails the user for money in exchange for the access to the files.

It leaves the user with only two files: Instructions on what to do next and the Wanna Decryptor program itself.

When opened the software tells users that their files have been encrypted and gives them a few days to pay up or their files will be deleted.

It can quickly spread through an entire network of computers in a business or hospital, encrypting files on every PC. 

Such malware can be avoided by checking app permissions, avoiding installing questionable apps and being careful about what email attachments you open.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Floyd Mayweather Baby Mama Sues for $20 Mil ... He's a Despicable Liar

Floyd Mayweather could lose tens of millions of dollars from his big payday if his baby mama gets her way ... because she's just filed a lawsuit claiming he ruined her with lies to save his own ass. Josie Harris, who has 3 kids with Floyd, claims he lied through his teeth in an interview with Katie Couric just 2 weeks before the big fight ... when he claimed Josie was in a drug-fueled rage and he had to "restrain" her during their infamous 2010 domestic violence incident. Point of fact ... Floyd was convicted of domestic violence and spent two months in jail. Josie recounts her terror in the lawsuit, explaining how she and Floyd had broken up ... but he flew into a jealous rage that night, broke into her home and viciously attacked her while she was sleeping on her couch ... and her kids saw part of the beating. Harris says she is now labeled a drug addict thanks to Mayweather's lies -- and was embarrassed and humiliated on a global scale.   Her lawyer, Dan Friedl...

Google Authenticator, a formidable layer of protection to your account.

​Google Authenticator is a free security app that can protect your accounts against password theft. It's easy to set up and can be used in a process called two-factor authentication (2FA) offered on popular social media services like Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.  The app ( iOS / Android ) generates a random code used to verify your identity when you're logging into various services. The code can technically be sent to your phone via text message every time— but the Google Authenticator app provides an extra level of security.  SMS-based 2FA has a  known security flaw , and any devoted hacker can attempt to  socially engineer  an attack against your phone company. The Google Authenticator app eliminates the possibility of an SMS-based attack  using algorithms  to generate the codes on your phone. Here's how to set it up: 1. Download Google Authenticator from either the Apple App Store or the Android Google Play store. It's free. 2. Nex...

Are You Treating Your Kids Like Your Career?

And, we see this all the time. Hey,listen I've heard evidence of this phenomenon at the hairdresser, nail salon, at high school softball games, or at the grocery store. Mothers move in closer to each other and start to talk to one other very seriously and very competitively about their kids' achievements, successes, activities but certainly not about their disappointments, feelings, or emotional concerns. Nope, those topics are reserved for the night when those parents are alone with both the darkness of the night and their concerns. Now these are kids they are talking about, not careers. I'll tell you though that it sounds a whole lot like they are talking about jobs and job advancement. And, these kids who are their current careers, in my opinion, are at risk to become highly anxious and stressed as they struggle not to let their parents down. Don't kid yourself parents — your kids are desperately afraid of failing you. Want to figure out if your child has beco...