Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) that threatens to publish or blocks access to data or a computer system, usually by encrypting it, until the victim pays a ransom fee to the attacker. In many cases, the ransom demand comes with a deadline. Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that prevents you from accessing your computer files, systems, or networks and demands you pay a ransom for their return.

Ransomware, also known as scareware, is malicious software that restricts access to an infected computer while displaying a notification making demands for the computer user to pay a fee to restore access to the infected system.

Ransomware Removal

Let’s Define Ransomware

Once ransomware enters a system, it makes itself known by taking control, encrypting files or complete systems, and blocking user access until requests for payments, which are often displayed in warning messages, are fulfilled. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the keys needed to break the encryption will be returned upon payment.

This devious malware typically enters opportunistically through drive-by downloads, email links, social network messages, and websites; more recently, ransomware has been distributed through aggressive worms and targeted attacks. Ransomware, like many Trojans, are disguised as legitimate files, with the ransom note appearing on screen , often with threats of deletion or publication without payment. The result is often brand damage, costly lawsuits, or lost customer loyalty.

Attacks such as WannaCry,Petya,Bad Rabbit were headliners in 2017. WannaCry alone spread globally to 300,000 devices in over 150 countries in a single weekend, and caused millions, perhaps even billions, of damage.

Here are some insights from a recent Forrester report:

Ransomware Protection

• No one is left unscathed – businesses large and small, governments, healthcare organizations, and individuals are susceptible to ransomware.
• It’s even being promoted on the dark web as “ransomware as a service,” with tutorials and guides for easy execution. (In fact, according to The Ransomware Economy report from Carbon Black, there was a 2,502% increase in the sale of ransomware from 2016 to 2017, making it a $6 billion market, with over 6300 dark web marketplaces that have 45,000 product listings.)
• Bitcoin is making it easy for attackers to set up anonymous payment schemes.
• Almost anyone can do this. Seriously. Almost anyone.