Page 142 - Cyber Defense eMagazine October 2023

How do I safeguard myself from ransomware?

• Malspam

To achieve access, some ransomware attackers use spam to send emails with malicious attachments to
many people.

• Malvertising

It is a popular infection method in which they use online advertising for distributing malware. While using
the web, even if you are using legitimate websites, you are sometimes directed to criminal servers without
tapping on the ad.

• Social engineering

The ransomware people use social engineering to trick people into opening their attachments or clicking
on links that might look legitimate. For example, they act like the FBI for scaring the users into paying
money to unlock their files.

How can I get rid of ransomware?

When it comes to ransomware, prevention is way better than cure. There is no guarantee that the
attackers will unencrypt the data even if you pay the ransom. So, it’s important to be prepared before you
get in contact with ransomware. These are the main steps to take.

• Keep security software installed on your device always
• Always have a backup of your important data
• Use free decryptors for retrieving some of your encrypted files.

Wrapping Up

At last, it’s evident that the cybersecurity field is not at all free from the ransomware threat. It is expected
to cost the targets $265 billion on a yearly basis by the year 2031. The professional ransomware groups
will always target firms, important infrastructures, and hospitals. However, we can be prepared and take
preventive actions by knowing the ransomware trends and evolutions. There are also various platforms
that detect the malware and respond to help in defending against ransomware threats.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – October 2023 Edition 142
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