How to protect against ransomware

If you see a screen like one above then you’ve probably become another victim of RansomWare.
Sometimes it’s a hoax and a reboot will fix the issue. Often you will need real help.
Unless you’ve got a backup there is a good chance that you’ve lost your information such as documents and pictures.
Our advice at this stage would be turn off, disconnect the router / wifi and call for help.

Microsoft say.

There are two types of ransomware – lockscreen ransomware and encryption ransomware. Lockscreen ransomware shows a full-screen message that prevents you from accessing your PC or files. It says you have to pay money (a “ransom”) to get access to your PC again.

Encryption ransomware changes your files so you can’t open them. It does this by encrypting the files – see the Details for enterprises section if you’re interested in the technologies and techniques we’ve seen.

Older versions of ransom usually claim you have done something illegal with your PC, and that you are being fined by a police force or government agency.

These claims are false. It is a scare tactic designed to make you pay the money without telling anyone who might be able to restore your PC.

Newer versions encrypt the files on your PC so you can’t access them, and then simply demand money to restore your files.

Ransomware can get on your PC from nearly any source that any other malware (including viruses) can come from. This includes:

• Visiting unsafe, suspicious, or fake websites.
• Opening emails and email attachments from people you don’t know, or that you weren’t expecting.
• Clicking on malicious or bad links in emails, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media posts, instant messenger chats, like Skype.

It can be very difficult to restore your PC after a ransomware attack – especially if it’s infected by encryption ransomware.
If you suspect that you’ve been infected, don’t reconnect a backup disk. It could also get encrypted. Seek expert advice.
Better still use a Cloud backup service like our Storegrid service rather than store files locally. The air gap across the internet stops our servers from getting infected from your PC.

That’s why the best solution to ransomware is to be safe on the Internet and with emails and online chat:

• Don’t click on a link on a webpage, in an email, or in a chat message unless you absolutely trust the page or sender.
• If you’re ever unsure – don’t click it!
• Often fake emails and webpages have bad spelling, or just look unusual. Look out for strange spellings of company names (like “PayePal” instead of “PayPal”) or unusual spaces, symbols, or punctuation (like “iTunesCustomer Service” instead of “iTunes Customer Service”).