What is Ransomware and how to protect yourself from it?

If you are used to surfing the net, you may have heard or have already come across the word "Ransomware" and you don't really know what it is or how it can affect you. And it is not surprising, since despite the fact that it is a malicious software which was developed in the 1980s, it was not until mid-2005 that it resurfaced with greater force and the term began to be known throughout the world.

To counteract ransomware, users found it necessary to use some tools such as antivirus, VPN, antimalware, and others. However, to date, although there are remedies, this malicious software has not disappeared.

Today we will tell you what a Ransomware, how it works and what you can do to protect yourself against this intrusive software.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is, as we mentioned earlier, a

malicious software Created more than 30 years ago, it has the ability to infect the user's computer. In general, computers tend to get infected after downloading questionable files on the Internet or through the email.

This software it is very easy to propagateas it can be hidden in many ways. Your computer could be affected, for example, by entering malicious sites, via malicious advertisements or simply downloading a PDF with this content.

This software, by infecting your computer, would prevent you from accessing your files and other important information. And then, I would ask you to pay a sum of money in exchange for returning your information. In the case of not receiving payment in the stipulated time, the virus will destroy your files making it impossible for you to recover them.

The boom of this virus occurred in the first decade of the year 2000, and despite the fact that the number of cases dropped drastically, the ransomware it's still with us and it's still a big problem for everyone.

Despite the great progress that the antivirus software To detect and counter attack by this type of software, cybercriminals are also making progress to exploit vulnerabilities systems and continue to commit crimes. But by using the right tools and taking precautions you can be protected.

How can you protect yourself from Ransomware?

Protect yourself from the attack of a Ransomware it can be a difficult task. However, there are a number of tips you can follow to reduce the risk of your computers being affected by it. Next, we will give you a series of recommendations that you can easily put into practice.

Always use antivirus software

It is important that you have antivirus software installed on your computer to protect your computer. Most of the current antiviruses are capable of detecting most of the variations of Ransomware. However, it is sometimes difficult to detect even for the best software.

Although an antivirus does not protect you 100%, it is highly recommended that you have one installed on your computer.

Start using a VPN

When you surf the net, it is the moment when your computer is most vulnerable to an attack. Especially if you connect to an unsecured network in coffee shops, parks, airports or the like. If you really must connect to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, at least make sure you are using a VPN (virtual private network). By connecting to VPN Server, you are protecting your private information online from prying eyes to your device.

Do not access suspicious sites

The most effective method to prevent your computers from being infected with malicious software on the network is to common sense. On the internet there are many suspicious sites that could be riddled with viruses. A clear example of this are pirated download websites where many times we do not know exactly what we are downloading. Especially when they are cracked or modified software.

That is why it is recommended that you stay away from these sites, since you could get an unpleasant surprise.

Keep your system always updated

System updates can seem cumbersome to many people. However, this is done with a very important reason, and it is your protection and that of your data. most of system updates operating are security patches that correct any vulnerability in the system.

If you do not update your system periodically, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access your computer. And the people who develop Ransomware are specialists in exploiting these vulnerabilities.

Conclution

Now that you know what ransomware is and how to protect yourself from it, the chances of being attacked by one of these malicious software are greatly reduced. So take note of the advice we have given you in this article and your computer and your data will be much safer when you surf the net.