What Is Ransomware & Can an Antivirus Prevent It in 2022?

Short on Time? Here’s what you need to know about ransomware in 2022:

• Ransomware is malware that prevents users from accessing their computer systems or certain files. Users are required to pay ransom money in order to unlock them. Ransomware is often targeted at businesses or individuals with a lot of money. A top-quality antivirus that includes ransomware protection is the best way to protect yourself from ransomware attacks (I recommend Bitdefender or Norton).

Can antivirus be used to stop ransomware? Yes and no. Yes and no. While antivirus programs can stop ransomware in many forms, they can’t stop it from taking control of your computer. Antivirus programs are constantly evolving to combat this threat.

Ransomware is a different kind of virus. It encrypts your files and takes them hostage. They will try to get money to release them. Although these attacks are usually directed at large companies and individuals with highly valuable data, anyone can be a victim.

Hackers want to restrict your access to valuable information so that education, healthcare, energy, utilities and government are not the most affected industries. These attacks are considered the greatest cybersecurity threat currently by some experts.

These attacks are more costly than just the money. These attacks can also result in the loss of valuable data, downtime that is costly, and decreased productivity.

What Is Ransomware and Where Does It Come From?

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks down your computer and your data until you pay the ransom. Ransomware was first discovered in the 1980s, but it didn’t pose any serious threat to the public until the past decade. Every day, ransomware attacks are in the thousands.

Ransomware can infect your computer just like other viruses. Opening an email attachment, downloading suspicious files, or going to a website already infected. Ransomware can only be stopped by using an up-to date antivirus.

Ransomware viruses are becoming more sophisticated and difficult to detect due to their evolution. Ransomware viruses are constantly evolving, making it difficult for antivirus programs to detect them until it is too late.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware attacks follow a common pattern:

1. An Infection is possible. Ransomware infections are similar to other viruses. It could be downloaded as a result phishing. This is a social engineering tactic to trick you into downloading a program you believe is safe and legitimate. It could also be an exploit kit that targets weaknesses in your software to gain access through backdoors.
2. The Wait period. Not every ransomware works immediately. While some ransomware can take up to 15 minutes for to become active, others can be activated in a matter of seconds.
3. Encryption. To access your files and data, you will need a decryption code. The level of encryption depends on the ransomware version. Ransomware decryption software can be used to disable 16-bit or 32-bit encryption. A 128-bit and 256-bit encryption are so strong that it is almost impossible to reverse.
4. Financial Demand. This is the final stage. It displays a popup message on your screen alerting you of the infection. The ransom will usually be between $300 and $500. Hackers will only ask for money from individuals to increase their chances of paying the ransom, but businesses can also pay thousands of dollars.

Ransomware can also mimic local authorities. You may be told that you have accessed prohibited content or that you have acted illegally. This message could lead to you being fined. To increase authenticity, they often use logos from the government or county police.

Ransom payments are often demanded in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin which makes it harder to track.

Different types of Ransomware

Ransomware can be described as a generic term for a variety of malware types. While they all share the same feature of demanding ransom payments for removal, they are not all the same.

These are the most popular types:

• Locker ransomware is considered to be one of the first types ever discovered. It locks users out of their computers, and requires payment. This version is the most severe, and often requires a system wiping to be removed. Paying the ransom won’t always be enough to save your computer. Some hackers embed password-stealing software even after the ransom is paid.
• Crypto ransomware’skey is that payment is required in cryptocurrency. Hackers will often demand payment via anonymous cryptocurrency addresses and lock user’s files.
• Mac ransomwareis ransomware that targets Mac computers. It was first discovered in 2016, and it was referred to by KeRanger. It would take three days for this version to encrypt 300 files. It would then create a text file requesting one Bitcoin.
• Leakware works by stealing your data and threatening you with releasing the data if they don’t pay. Your bank information, contact details, intimate photos, and other personal documents could be targeted. This tactic is extremely effective because it causes victims to panic and react rashly.
• Scarewareoften poses as fake security software. It will notify you of problems that require additional money once it is downloaded. Sometimes, your computer will become unusable due to the number of pop-ups and alerts it displays.
• RaaS stands for Ransomware As a Service. This meta-malware type is used by career criminals. In exchange for a percentage of the fine, hackers will hire hackers to create and distribute ransomware. This type of ransomware is extremely dangerous and can be used to exact revenge on you.

Each type of ransomware has been identified in numerous instances over the years. Some ransomware has done more damage than others.

Ransomware: Famous examples

WannaCry was one of the most devastating cyberthreats ever recorded. It took down over 250,000 computers across 116 countries. Ransomware didn’t only affect personal computers; it also affected entire systems and businesses, including the British National Health Service.

Patients couldn’t get appointments in the UK, doctors couldn’t access records and life was at risk. The cyberwarfare that we see in films like Firewall (2006) and Goodbye World (2013) became a real threat. This threat was now a real possibility.

75% of victims were forced to pay ransomware to recover their data. The global ransomware epidemic grew by 350% in a year.

Although this attack wasn’t the first, it was the most devastating. These are just a few of the many ransomware attacks that have occurred in recent years.

• CryptoLocker used a Trojan to attack Windows computers. The infection affected over 250,000 devices and was mainly targeted at users in the UK, US and Canada. It was spread via password-protected zip files that claimed to contain an important pdf.
• TeslaCryptwas ransomware trojan. It is now, fortunately. It was able to target game-players through file extensions for popular games like Minecraft, WoW, Call of Duty and WoW. The malware demanded ransom payments of $500 from victims once they were infected.
• SimpleLocker is a mobile malware that imitates CryptoLocker. It blackmails victims, accusing them of criminal acts and demanding a hefty fine. It fills up the screen and returns no matter how you turn it on or off.
• NotPetya is a reinterpretation of the Petya ransomware from 2016. NotPetya, which was possibly inspired by WannaCry’s WannaCry ransomware, was released just weeks later. It was a $300 demand and 90% of the attacks were against Ukrainian victims. Some believe it was orchestrated by Russia.
• Locky was in existence before the rise of ransomware. Half a million people were affected by the malware. The ransom demanded one Bitcoin, which was worth almost $1,000 at the time. It spread via infected Word documents and social engineering techniques.
• Cerber is another form of ransomware, which was also in existence in 2016. It was used to attack 150,000 Windows users in July 2016 and continues to cost approximately $2.3 million per year.

These ransomware types are the most popular, but there are many other forms. You can take steps to protect yourself.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

Knowing about ransomware doesn’t guarantee your safety. Understanding how to protect yourself is your best weapon. Ransomware’s destructive nature makes it difficult to recover from. It is better to be prepared and prevent an infection.

Here’s how it works:

• Keep regular backups. Although it is relatively easy to get rid of ransomware infections, recovering encrypted files without having to pay the ransom can be more difficult. It’s possible to restore data if it is impossible to do so by making regular backups. If you get attacked, you can restore your data to the time before you were infected.
• Install Update Software on a Regular Basis. Ransomware often exploits security holes in order to gain access. It is best to keep your computer updated regularly to avoid this problem. Software manufacturers release patches to fix known vulnerabilities every day. This will help you increase your security greatly.
• Click Smart. Phishing scams. It’s possible to avoid social engineering, provided you are aware of the signs. Fake URLs, unexplained attachments to emails, and pop-ups are all signs of social engineering. Avoid clicking on banner ads and other “deals” and be aware of typos and untrue claims in order to avoid fraudulent emails.
• Only trust trusted sources. This applies to everythingonline :websites and software, as well as e-commerce websites. It’s easy to stick with brands and domains that have a great reputation.
• Use whitelisting software. Whitelisting software creates a base of approved programs that will stop unknown programs running on your device. The whitelisting software will check your device for malware and block any actions that are not compatible.
• Get a top-quality antivirus suite. Ransomware is a serious threat. They can alert users immediately if they find a problem and also help to remove it quickly. So that they can quickly identify ransomware, the best antivirus companies have a list of all known threats. A few antivirus apps offer a ransomware decryption tool that can be used to remove malware with low-level encryption. It may seem too expensive or time-consuming to invest in computer security. A ransomware attack can be more expensive than any other prevention strategy.

Ransomware is detected by Antivirus

Your antivirus can often detect ransomware in well-known forms. Why? This is all about how ransomware behaves. Your antivirus should notify you if something attempts to encrypt files from nowhere.

Your antivirus constantly asks you questions about which programs are safe and warns you about any suspicious programs. It also learns from your orders. Your antivirus will notify you if a file is encrypted or makes subtle, unusual changes to it. It is easy to spot ransomware.

It’s more complicated when it comes 2 ^nd generation ransomware. Hackers are using methods that are hard for antivirus programs to detect.

Cisco has some words to say:

“Many ransomware organizations also have development teams that monitor the updates from antivirus providers. This allows authors to know when a variant is detected and can change techniques. Because criminals use bitcoin to pay for their transactions, it is more difficult for law enforcement officers to trace them. To maintain a good reputation on the market, that is, to be known for fulfilling their promise to users to access their encrypted files once payment has been processed, many ransomware operators have created elaborate customer support operations em>

This is because the average computer user does not have the financial resources to tackle such challenges. They depend on their antivirus to protect themselves, but what do they do if that’s not enough?

Stop Ransomware before it Infects

Being proactive against ransomware is still the best way to protect yourself. Updates are available to counter the most recent ransomware variants. While we cannot predict the future, we can help you to protect yourself by using safe browsing techniques.

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have an antivirus installed.

There are many options:

• Norton
• Bitdefender
• McAfee
• TotalAV

These programs can detect known ransomware. You must take preventative measures to minimize your chance of being infected.

It’s simpler to stop something before it starts . Ransomware can take control of your computer and cause data loss. It is very difficult to remove.

What to do if your computer is infected by ransomware?

Ransomware can be very difficult to remove once it has taken control of your files. There’s a good chance that your files will be lost if you get infected.

However, most experts advise against paying ransom. Here’s why:

• The ransom payment encourages criminals to continue their fraud
• Second, paying the ransom won’t guarantee you get your files back

It is up to you to decide if your data are extremely important or sensitive. Numerous cases have been documented in which victims paid ransoms and received their data back in one go.

There are some other options you have before you give up on your data or cave to hackers.

• Disconnect From the Network to Protect Other Computing Devices. You don’t want ransomware spreading across your network, or getting access to files that you have stored on another network-connected device. As soon as you notice the ransomware alert, disable your network connection.
• Get rid of Ransomware. Scanning your computer and decrypting your files can take time. To minimize damage, you should get rid of ransomware as soon possible. This should be simple if you have a strong antivirus installed on your computer. You can always use one of the top free solutions to get a quick fix if your antivirus is not working. However, removing the malware won’t allow you to access your files.
• Search for a Decryption Key online. There’s a large community of white-hat hackers and cyber security professionals working tirelessly to crack ransomware strains. Crypto Sheriff is a tool that can help you determine the strain of ransomware infecting your computer. You can also use resources such as No More Ransom to check if there has been a decryption code created. There’s a good chance that someone has cracked the ransomware and you can recover your files.
• Contact a Professional (and law enforcement). You might need to call a professional if you are still having trouble recovering your files or accessing your system. You might try your local computer repair shop or the Geek Squad. They often have ransomware or antivirus services and may be able help. The FBI tracks cyber-attacks via its Internet Crime Complaint Center and the police should be notified.

Ransomware is the best defense against it.

Ransomware can infect your computer just like any other virus. Instead of clicking on every link that you see, you should:

• Consider the links that you click
• Only visit safe sites
• Make sure your antivirus software is up-to-date
• If your antivirus doesn’t offer ransomware protection, you should change it.
• Backup your files using an external hard drive, or the cloud

Your antivirus should be able protect you against the most common forms of ransomware. Antivirus companies are trying to improve detection and protection in light of the popularity of ransomware attacks. They still have a lot of work to do before ransomware is gone forever.

You can improve your security by using safe browsing and taking the steps necessary to ensure your data is safe and backed-up.

Source : #safetydetectives
Editor by : BEST Antivirus KBS Team