How to Protect Your Computer From Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that can encrypt files on a victim’s computer and demand a ransom payment before they will release them. The victim can lose their files and data, as well as incurring costs and lost productivity. These costs can include IT and legal fees, network modifications, and the purchase of credit monitoring services. Although most ransomware spreads through user-initiated actions, some malware variants also make use of malvertising and drive-by downloads to spread across the Internet.
The best way to protect your computer from ransomware is to keep it up-to-date and patched. You should also install software that will block any malicious programs from executing on your computer. You can also use security software to protect your personal email accounts and social networking websites. Ransomware often targets these websites.
Cybercriminals are increasingly using ransomware as a way to steal money and control vital infrastructure. Not only can ransomware infect individual computers, but it can also attack cities and countries, such as electric grids. As the number of connected devices grows, cybercriminals may attempt to disrupt the functioning of industrial control systems. As a result, ransomware may become a serious threat in the future.
Once on a computer, ransomware encrypts files and asks the victim to pay a ransom in exchange for decryption keys. Depending on the type of ransomware, a ransom note can be in the form of an email or pop-up message. The ransom note can be sent to the victim’s email address, but it is not impossible to restore the files.