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How do I know if I have been infected with ransomware?
, virus, and computer

It is important to know the signs of a ransomware infection so you can take steps to protect your computer and your data. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your data and demands a ransom to decrypt it. This can be a very costly and time-consuming process, so it is important to know how to spot the signs of a ransomware infection.

There are a few telltale signs that your computer has been infected with ransomware. First, you may notice that your computer is running slower than usual. This is because the malware is using your resources to encrypt your data. Second, you may see pop-up messages or strange icon appearances that you don’t recognize. These are usually related to the encryption process and are intended to scare you into paying the ransom.

Third, and most importantly, you will be unable to access your files. This is because the ransomware has encrypted them and they can only be decrypted with a special key. If you see any of these signs on your computer, it is important to take action immediately.

The first thing you should do is disconnect from the internet so the ransomware cannot spread further. Then, you will need to run a virus scan to remove the malware from your system. Finally, you will need to restore your data from a backup if you have one. If you don’t have a backup, you may be able to use a data recovery program to get your files back. However, this is not guaranteed to work and can be very costly.

So, how do you protect your computer from ransomware? The best defense against ransomware is a good backup. If you have a backup of your data, you can simply restore your files if you become infected. There are also a few things you can do to reduce your risk of being infected in the first place. First, keep your antivirus software up to date and run regular scans. Second, be careful what you download and install, as ransomware can be bundled with other software. Finally, don’t click on links or attachments in emails unless you are absolutely sure they are safe.

How much money do ransomware attackers typically demand?
, attack, and bitcoin

Ransomware attackers typically demand between 1 and 5 bitcoins, which is equivalent to $7,500-$37,500 as of May 2019. The average ransom demanded is 2.5 bitcoins, or approximately $19,000.

They will typically give you a deadline of 24-48 hours to pay the ransom, after which time the price will increase, or the data will be destroyed.

Bitcoin is the preferred payment method as it is difficult to trace, and the funds can be quickly and easily transferred.

There have been instances where the attackers have refused to decrypt the data even after the ransom was paid, so there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in recovery of your data.

Backups are the best protection against ransomware, as they can be used to restore your data if it is encrypted. Be sure to keep your backups offline and in a secure location to avoid them also being encrypted.

How do ransomware authors choose their targets?
,victims,cyber security

Ransomware authors have a few different methods for choosing their targets. Sometimes, they’ll choose to target a specific individual or organization that they know will be able to pay the ransom. Other times, they’ll target a larger group of people in the hopes of finding at least a few who are willing and able to pay up.

Cyber security experts believe that many ransomware authors use automated tools to scan the internet for vulnerable systems. Once they find a system that looks promising, they’ll try to exploit any known vulnerabilities in order to gain access. Once they’re in, they’ll deploy the ransomware and then wait for the victim to contact them with a payment.

Ransomware targets are typically chosen based on their ability to pay, but there have been some instances where high-profile targets have been chosen for political reasons. In 2016, for example, the ransomware known as Petya was used to target the Ukrainian power grid in an apparent attempt to destabilize the country.

No matter who the target is, ransomware authors typically have one goal in mind: to make as much money as possible. That’s why they usually target businesses and other organizations that can’t afford to be without their data for long. The longer a business is down, the more money the ransomware author stands to make.

How much money is typically paid in a ransomware attack?
, bitcoin, and methodology

When it comes to ransomware, there is no one size fits all when it comes to how much money is demanded. It really depends on the type of ransomware that is used, as well as the target. For example, some ransomware strains will focus on encrypting personal files, while others will lock down an entire system. Some ransomware will even threaten to delete files if a ransom is not paid within a certain time frame.

The most common ransom demands are usually made in Bitcoin, as it is a fairly anonymous way to receive payments. The amount of money that is typically demanded can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, again, depending on the ransomware and the target. In some cases, the ransom demand may even be lower if the victim is considered to be low-risk.

As for how the ransom is paid, most ransomware will provide instructions on what needs to be done in order to make the payment. This will usually involve transferring the Bitcoin to a specific wallet address that is provided. Once the payment is made, the victim will then need to provide a special key or code that will decrypt the files that have been encrypted.

Of course, paying the ransom is not always a guarantee that the files will be decrypted. There have been cases where victims have paid the ransom but never received the key or code needed to decrypt their files. In other cases, the key or code may be provided but the decryption process may not work correctly. This is why it is always advised to have a backup of all important files, just in case.

What is the best way to protect against ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. It is a growing threat with more sophisticated variants appearing all the time.

The best way to protect against ransomware is to have a robust backup strategy in place. This way, if your files are encrypted by ransomware, you can restore them from your backups.

There are three main types of backup: local backups, which are stored on your own premises; off-site backups, which are stored at a location away from your premises; and cloud backups, which are stored on a remote server.

Local backups are the quickest and easiest to restore from, but they are also the most vulnerable to ransomware attacks, as the backups are stored on the same device as the originals. If your local backups are encrypted by ransomware, you will not be able to restore them.

Off-site backups are more secure, as they are stored at a different location to the originals. However, they can take longer to restore from, as you will need to physically transport the backup media to your premises.

Cloud backups are the most secure type of backup, as the backups are stored on a remote server. They are also the quickest and easiest to restore from, as you can simply download them over the internet. However, they are more expensive than local and off-site backups.

The best way to protect against ransomware is to have a robust backup strategy in place that includes multiple types of backup. This way, if your files are encrypted by ransomware, you can restore them from your backups.

Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about ransomware. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference when writting this blog post.