How can Protect your Computer from Ransome Ware Virus

How can Protect your Computer from RansomeWare Virus

A CYBER attack bought some NHS hospitals to a standstill this week with patients being turned away from A&E and operations being cancelled.

The ransomware virus affected computers across nearly a hundred countries with Europol describing the attack as of “unprecedented level”.

The ransomware that was used to attack thousands of organisations this week

Hackers lock victims out of their computers and demand a ransom to unlock it

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of cyber attack that sees hackers take control of computers, tablets or mobile phones and demand a payment.

Often the hackers trick the user into downloading malicious software – using a dodgy email or app – and encrypt the victim’s information.

Some NHS hospitals were forced to turn away people from A&E and cancel operations

Who was targeted by the ransomware attack?

As well as the NHS, hackers targeted thousands of organisations in as many as 99 countries but they can also be used against individuals.

Around 40 hospital trusts across Britain were forced to cancel operations and turn patients away on Friday.

Here are a few ways you can protect yourself from ransomware:

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Update your operating system

Software providers like Microsoft will often ask you to install updates and restart your computer and, although it’s annoying, always do this as they often contain new programmes fixing vulnerabilities in your system that hackers are trying to exploit.

A reason why the ransomware attack affected so many NHS hospitals this week was because they were still using Windows XP – an old operating system first released in 2001.

Back up your files

Losing valuable documents and treasured pictures is the greatest damage a ransomware attack can cause so copy them onto a different device for safekeeping.

A good way is to use an external hard drive that isn’t connected to the internet so if you do lose control of your computer you won’t lose the files on there.

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Watch out for dodgy emails, websites, and apps

Ransomware only works if hackers can trick victims into downloading malicious software onto their computer which they can then use to control the device.

The most common way to do this is by asking a user to download a file from an email, clicking on a link, or use an app.

Users should be very cautious about what they download and particularly if they are asked to do so in a unsolicited email.

It’s also a good idea to only download approved apps on your phones and to check user reviews before doing so.

Use an antivirus program

As well as updating your computer’s operating system it is a good idea to download an antivirus programme for extra protection.

They can stop you from accidentally downloading ransomware by scanning emails before you open them and can block malicious software from installing themselves on your computer.

Often you will have to pay for this service but there are also free-to-use options.

Never pay the ransom

Victims are advised never to pay the ransom as it encourages hackers to keep doing them and doesn’t guarantee that you will get your files back.

Hackers usually require the ransom to be paid using Bitcoin which, although not illegal, is controversial and difficult to do.

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