Archives - Ransomware

Backup regularly to reduce the risk of ransomware

Ransomware is one of the most dangerous cybersecurity threats because its damage is so hard to roll back; you end up having to choose between paying a ransom that won’t even guarantee safe return of your data, or possibly losing that information forever. Local or cloud-based backup can help by giving you full, restorable copies […]

The first known ransomware appears in 1989

Several thousand floppy disks containing the AIDS Trojan, the first known ransomware, are mailed to subscribers of PC Business World magazine and a WHO AIDS conference mailing list. This DOS Trojan lies dormant for 90 boot cycles, then encrypts all filenames on the system, displaying a notice asking for $189 to be sent to a […]

Make backups to reduce the threat from ransomware

A 2018 ransomware attack against the City of Atlanta highlighted the risks of this form of malware, which encrypts your data and holds the decryption key hostage until you pay a fee. It’s possible to reduce ransomware’s impact by making regular backups, either locally or in the cloud, so you can fall back on a […]

Ransomware primer: The risks and what you can do

Ransomware is one of the fastest growing forms of malware.

Types of Malware: What is Ransomware?

A type of malware that infects a computer and restricts access to it until a ransom is paid by the user to unlock it. Even when a victim pays the ransom amount, the stolen files could remain locked or be deleted by the cybercriminal.

Watch for macros in Microsoft Office files

Macros are powerful, useful commands in Microsoft Word and Excel. However, they can also be used to deliver ransomware. Consider disabling them from within the applications if you regularly receive a lot of documents and spreadsheets and aren’t sure of their safety.