Keep Yourself Safe from Ransomware

Last year, a new variant of malware made national headlines on multiple occasions.  This software would lock up a computer and require payment of a "ransom" in order to restore the computer.  People and businesses (including several police departments) paid millions of dollars to regain access to sensitive files or systems that had become infected.

While nothing can completely stop ransomware, good habits will reduce your likelihood of infection and make recovering your system much easier.  Here are some things to keep in mind:

1) Never Open Email Attachments - unless you are sure the person sending it actually intended to send it to you.  If you aren't expecting an attachment, there is probably no harm in waiting a few extra minutes to make sure that it is not malicious.  A quick email, text, or phone call is all that is needed to confirm the actual source of the message.

2) Use Antivirus Software - This one should go without saying, but the number of unprotected computers is absolutely shocking.  If you do not have an antivirus (or it is not up-to-date), you are relying solely on your own capability to prevent malware.  One click on the wrong site (or wrong file), and your system will be infected.

3) Use Caution with Drives - Never plug in a flash drive if you do not know what it is.  There have been many stories of flash drives being left in corporate buildings with the hope that they will be discovered and infect the company's networks.  If you are unsure if a drive is safe, use caution.

4) Be Careful with Downloads - Always use reputable sites for downloads and always read the terms at each screen during the installation process.  Always go to the program's main page to obtain a download.  It takes very little time and effort to edit a program's installer to install ransomware or some other type of adware or malware.  While many legitimate downloads may come wrapped with software you do not want, they will at least spell out what it will do if you take the time to read each screen.

5) Back Up Your Files - If you have backups of all your files, restoring your system will be a fairly easy task that can be completed in under two hours.  If you do not have backup copies, it will take significantly longer to recover your files, and in some cases, they may not be recoverable at all.  It was several months before security companies figured out a way to recover files encrypted with the CryptoWall ransomware, and it was not long before a new version was issued.