If you’ve watched the news lately, no doubt you have seen reports of computers being infected with ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Imagine having your photos, personal files, or documents held hostage unless you paid whatever amount the hackers demanded. So far this year, between 50-70% of attacks each month have been one form of ransomware or another. The most devastating of these require no action on the part of the user to infect the machine!
The most common distribution method remains via email attachment. A common email phishing scam that has been seen lately is a phony Amazon tech support scam. The best way to protect yourself against this is self-control. I know you're curious about what an email contains but, seriously, if you're not expecting the email, don't open it. Don't open the attachments. Don't click on the links. "But wouldn't my antivirus software protect me? Isn't that what it's for?" Not likely and not exactly. When you click on something, you're giving your antivirus software permission to allow it to run. Unless it's specifically in its database, it will allow it. While the software is running, your antivirus software will analyze it and, if it sees something alarming, it will attempt to stop it. Keep in mind, however, this is a reaction to something that's already been done! Often, it is too late at that point. Maybe it's best to think of it like this: antivirus software is meant to limit the damage a virus can do OR prevent unsolicited programs from installing (things you didn't click on). However, antivirus software is only as good as the foundation it's built on. If your operating system isn't up to date (whether it be Windows or Mac or something else), there are exploits your antivirus software can't see.
Despite the common thought that Apple products are immune to viruses and other malware, Mac infections are continuing to become more common. A sobering statistic: more new malware families that affect Macs have appeared this year than in any other year and the year is not over.
Thinking about ransomware and how you may be affected can be scary, but the best way to defend against these attacks is to keep your software up to date. That includes (but is not limited to): Windows Updates, antivirus updates, and router or firewall firmware updates. And what do you do if you are infected with ransomware? We do not recommend paying the ransoms. That only encourages making more viruses like this and there's no guarantee these nefarious people will honor that arrangement.
How can Glospey help you protect yourself? We offer remote maintenance contracts to keep your systems up to date and free advice on an email you might question (simply call or forward the email to us!)
The most common distribution method remains via email attachment. A common email phishing scam that has been seen lately is a phony Amazon tech support scam. The best way to protect yourself against this is self-control. I know you're curious about what an email contains but, seriously, if you're not expecting the email, don't open it. Don't open the attachments. Don't click on the links. "But wouldn't my antivirus software protect me? Isn't that what it's for?" Not likely and not exactly. When you click on something, you're giving your antivirus software permission to allow it to run. Unless it's specifically in its database, it will allow it. While the software is running, your antivirus software will analyze it and, if it sees something alarming, it will attempt to stop it. Keep in mind, however, this is a reaction to something that's already been done! Often, it is too late at that point. Maybe it's best to think of it like this: antivirus software is meant to limit the damage a virus can do OR prevent unsolicited programs from installing (things you didn't click on). However, antivirus software is only as good as the foundation it's built on. If your operating system isn't up to date (whether it be Windows or Mac or something else), there are exploits your antivirus software can't see.
Despite the common thought that Apple products are immune to viruses and other malware, Mac infections are continuing to become more common. A sobering statistic: more new malware families that affect Macs have appeared this year than in any other year and the year is not over.
Thinking about ransomware and how you may be affected can be scary, but the best way to defend against these attacks is to keep your software up to date. That includes (but is not limited to): Windows Updates, antivirus updates, and router or firewall firmware updates. And what do you do if you are infected with ransomware? We do not recommend paying the ransoms. That only encourages making more viruses like this and there's no guarantee these nefarious people will honor that arrangement.
How can Glospey help you protect yourself? We offer remote maintenance contracts to keep your systems up to date and free advice on an email you might question (simply call or forward the email to us!)