Ransomware is a unique type of ransomware that encrypts the user’s computer and asks money from you. The payment is through Bitcoin generally and then computer is unlocked. The cybercriminals who have attacked your computer give a deadline to give the ransom or the system will be locked forever. The following is an example of WannaCry attack that had encrypted thousands of computers in 2017 in more than 150 countries.
How does Ransomware Work? Is There Only One Kind of It?
Ransomware attacks happen via many different modes, like spam emails, phishing emails, websites, drive-by downloads, etc. Once it infects a network computer, it can infiltrate into other network computers as well to block access to documents, photos, media, technical information, financial information, and other types of data.
There are different types of Ransomware, and they infect users and their data as per their type. By knowing the types of Ransomware, you can learn how not to become a victim of it. Different types of ransomware are:
Cryptoware: This is the most common and dangerous form of Ransomware that encrypts your files, folders, and hard-drives.
Lock Screens: Lock screen Ransomware is also known as lockers or non-encrypting Ransomware. It locks you out of your system so that you cannot access it. It doesn’t encrypt them, but it restricts the user entry.
Raas: Raas, also known as Ransomware as a Service, is a ransomware that is created by the hacker anonymously. In this type of Ransomware attack, the hackers provide a service in the form of software to decrypt the data in return of a ransom.
Leakware: Leakware is also known as Doxware or Extortionware. This type of Ransomware threatens to publish the stolen data and information of the user.
Scareware: The type of Ransomware that is presented to the user as a computer program that fixes some issue and asks the user to buy it to get protection. It mostly appears as an antivirus, and once the user downloads it, it creates issues.
Mac Ransomware: As the name suggests, this type of Ransomware attacks the Mac Operating Systems. KeRanger is a notorious Mac Ransomware that penetrates the systems via an app called Transmission.
Mobile Ransomware: This type of Ransomware infiltrates mobile devices through drive-by downloads or a malicious fake app, which after installation takes over the user data.
Who Can be a Victim of It?
The major targets or victims of this fraud are mostly organizations regardless of their size . But the specific things about these organizations are that they have a smaller security team, have very sensitive data, and so are ready to pay quickly.
How Hackers Do It?
A Ransomware attack is not an easy job and is performed after full-fledged planning. It comprises many steps:
Entering the Network – First, the hackers enter into the user’s environment via spam emails or phishing emails. Once entered, they get installed on the user system.
Creating a Cryptographic Key – Once installed on the system, the Ransomware generates a cryptographic key for the system.
Encryption of Files – Now, the Ransomware starts encrypting everything it comes across. Everything on the network or the local server is encrypted this way.
Coercion – Once the encryption is done, the Ransomware starts to show notification or text, asking the user to pay to get access to their data back.
Decryption – The last stage is when the user pays for their data, and finally, the hackers decrypt the data and provide them back with the access. However, there is no guarantee that the user will ever get back access to their data.
How Can Backup Solutions Help?
As per surveys, the number of Ransomware attacks are growing day by day, and the best way to protect yourself from it is by taking precautions. Let’s see how backup solutions can help you to do so.
Copy and Store the Backup – A good way to secure your data from Ransomware is to copy the data on an external drive and store it offline. This way, you can have all your data at some other place, which is safe because it is offline, and no Ransomware can access it.
How can Cloud backup help? – Keeping a backup on the Cloud is a good precautionary measure against Ransomware. Windows data can be backed up on platforms like SharePoint Online (Office 365). And you can easily access your data on the Cloud through Internet.
And, for a smooth migration of data to the cloud platform, you can use Kernel Migrator for SharePoint, which is an automated SharePoint migration tool. This tool can transfer all your valuable data to SharePoint in a few steps with the original format and structure intact.
In this blog, we have discussed in detail what a Ransomware is and how one can use backup solutions to secure their data from ransomware attacks. We have mentioned a third-party tool, SharePoint Migrator tool which migrates all your precious data to a cloud platform safely and securely.
Last month I had gone through one such attack but now as I got to know how easy it is to migrate all of my data and store it offline with the SharePoint Migration tool, I am keeping all my data offline, all away from the ransomware attacks now. Great tool and good info all around.