Ransomware: 5 rules of conduct: Antivirus Guide

Ransomware: 5 rules of conduct: Antivirus Guide

Five simple rules of conduct:

Don't pay a ransom. You are probably wondering, "If I pay the ransom, will I not get the files back?" The perpetrator will likely give your files back to you when you pay. But maybe not. Once you've fidgeted like a fish, you can be asked to keep paying ransom money. 

But suppose you are dealing with an honest thief who will unlock your files when you pay. Why should you give money to a crook? Especially when they play the same game with numerous other users again and again with this money? That just doesn't seem right to me.

Don't click attachments in emails. There are now numerous gangs circulating ransomware and using various methods to infect your devices. One of the most common methods is sending spam. 

The email may contain information for you about a package that could not be delivered. Or it has an interesting screensaver that you should install. 

But no matter what the scam, criminals only want to achieve one goal: that you click on an attachment to install the malware. But you shouldn't do that. In no case do not click on it.

Keep software up to date. Criminals know about the vulnerabilities in software on their PC before they even find out about them. 

And they will try to exploit these loopholes to break into your computer. This is known as exploiting a vulnerability or "exploit". The security gap is closed by installing patches. 

If you are prompted to update your software, please follow this step immediately. Waiting only helps cybercriminals.

Use Total security software. If one of your friends is a security professional who keeps up to date with the latest malware threats around the clock and watches over your shoulder when you are in front of your computer, then you are relatively safe online. 

Don't you have a boyfriend like that? Then you should get good Total security software that will do the job. However, this should do more than just virus protection. I recommend Protegent Total Security.

Make backups. Nobody really thinks that something bad could happen - until the day the emergency occurs. I sincerely hope that your computer will never be infected with ransomware. And if you did, wouldn't it be comforting to have a copy of all your files safely kept somewhere? 

Then you can read the riot act to the perpetrator. Basically, everyone knows the importance of keeping their files backed up. Now there is another important reason for this.

Ransomware criminals target us. But by following a few simple rules of conduct, you can protect yourself from them - and from all the other malware attackers lurking on the Internet.