Beware! Ransomware Attacks Are On the Rise
Tue 24 Jan, 2012 // Chris Allan
Cloud security company Panda Security, have announced on their blog PandaLabs, that ransomware attacks are increasing. Not only are the attacks more common but also more sophisticated. Leaving personal and business users having to face new major threat in the coming year.
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware, that will ultimately hold a computer it infects as hostage. With a ransom being asked in order for it to be fully restored . Although making the headlines today, it has been around since the late 1980's.
The main way that this kind of malware can infect your computer is through spam emails and peer-to-peer services (P2P). With the hope that each person believes the message and pays the 'fine'.
Current Threats
The most recent threat has seen ransomware posing as Microsoft. The messages being displayed convey the message that Microsoft Windows authenticity could not be verified. In order to resolve this issue, a payment of €100 is required. Combined with instructions on how to carry out the payment and another message clearly stating that if the fine has not been paid within 48 hours, local law enforcement would be contacted and the user will face prosecution.
Luis Corrons, Technical Director at PandaLabs has said:
“While we are use to see this kind of fake messages in English, in this case the attacks are localized, we have seen English, German, Spanish or Dutch language (among others), depending on the targeted country. All of the attacks are targeting some European country, so it looks like that all of them are related and the same cibercriminal gang could be behind them.”
Other current ransomware exposed by PandaLabs, is currently active in Spain. After becoming infected users will be made aware that illegal materials have been detected. With the confirmation that the computer will now be locked unless a €100 fine is paid.
How To Protect Yourself
Regarding the recent ransomware that is currently active in Spain and many other European countries, PandaLabs advise all infected users to restart the computer in safe mode and run an anti virus scanner that can detect the malware.
Other recommendations as confirmed by Microsoft is to ensure both the operating system and browsers are up to date. This should protect each user from this kind of malware.
For both businesses and the general public the most effective way of avoiding this kind of malware is to train staff and yourself of the threats that exist. Being able to identify this kind of threat is the simplest method to avoid being scammed.
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