One of the biggest security threats causing the most trouble for victims is ransomware. But in addition, cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to perfect attacks and thus achieve a greater probability of success. In this article we are going to talk about how ransomware is renewed to attack. We will also give some tips to be protected at all times.
Ransomware changes to attack more
The how ransomware works It basically consists of encrypting files and systems so that the victim cannot access them. In exchange they will ask for an economic ransom and release them. They are going to improve the strategies they use and in this way reach more possible victims and make those attacks more effective.
One of the changes they have made is in the how it spreads. What does this mean? Hackers find many options to distribute ransomware. We can talk about attachments that arrive by e-mail, but also through very varied documents such as Word or an image. It can also arrive through social networks such as Facebook, by installing applications, entering web pages and clicking on a fraudulent link… They therefore use multiple methods to scam.
It should also be mentioned that they are reaching more economic sectors and domestic users. They don’t just focus on certain businesses where they can be more successful or more profitable, but further diversify attacks. This allows them to reach more hypothetical victims, although not all of them are equally profitable.
But if there is something that has changed in recent times, something that has represented an important turning point, it is the ransomware as a service or RaaS. What is this? It basically means that anyone can buy ransomware on the Dark Web, even if they don’t have extensive knowledge, and run it to infect their victims. It is like a service that works on a commission basis and shares the profits with those who have actually created this malicious software.
Yet another evolution is the use of the cloud. Hackers are increasingly relying on cloud hosting to sneak malicious files and reach more victims. They can use very popular platforms, such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
What to do to be protected
The most important thing to avoid ransomware is the common sense. Although this type of malware evolves and hackers look for other methods to scam, the truth is that they will almost always need us to make a mistake. Therefore, avoiding opening files that arrive by mail and that may be fake, avoiding installing unofficial applications or browsing dangerous sites is a good starting point to avoid problems.
It is also advisable to install security applications. A good antivirus will always help reduce the risk of suffering computer attacks of all kinds. Here you will find many options. Some of the most popular are Microsoft Defender or Avast. Whichever you choose, you need to make sure it works properly.
On the other hand, another point that cannot be missing is keep everything updated. This is also essential to prevent ransomware and fix any vulnerabilities that may appear on a computer.
