What is ransomware?
Ransomware is bad news for your digital privacy and your finances.
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Keeping your personal data safe online is a nightmare when new threats are emerging every day. Even if you keep an eye out for malware, regularly update your software, and use one of thebest VPNsin the business to prevent ISP snooping, it’s still tough to stay on top of cyberattacks.
That brings us to ransomware – a new spin on the age-old tactic of holding something you care about to ransom, and not releasing it until you pay a fee. The internet has sped up the rate at which ransoms can be distributed and paid, too, making it a lucrative industry for cybercriminals.
Keep reading, and I’ll outline what ransomware is, how to recover from it, and how VPNs and antivirus software can protect you before it’s too late.
What is ransomware?
Once you’ve been infected by it, it’ll encrypt files on the hard drive of your computer, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid.
The technology behind this nefarious encryption has been around since computers were invented, basically, but one new bit of tech has made ransomware into a billion-dollar industry – cryptocurrency.
Since it’s harder to trace cryptocurrency transactions than regular bank transfers, ransomware hackers often demand payment in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. They communicate this by displaying a warning screen on your desktop, oh-so politely informing you that your computer has been infected and, if you don’t comply with their demands by the time a countdown clock hits zero, something bad is going to happen.
Types of ransomware
Let’s take a closer look at today’s most prevalent types of ransomware.
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How to recover from a ransomware attack
If you’ve been hit by a ransomware attack – I’ve got bad news. Unless you keep regular backups of your data, and store it offline, recovery is going to be tricky. Although it’s tempting to start from scratch, it’s worth running through these steps to see what you can reclaim from the ransomware attack.
How to protect yourself from ransomware
Firstly, I’d recommend using one of thebest antivirussoftware tools available. These programs are aware of, and track, most malware. Even if it’s a totally new strain that’s never been seen before, the antivirus can recognize it and zap it as soon as it starts trying to encrypt your data.
It’s well worth making regular backups of the software on your computer. The best way to do this is with a cloud-based backup that the hacker can’t access – likeProton Drive, which keeps all of your data on a fully encrypted enclave only you can access.
Proton Drive relies on the same zero-trust security scheme thatProton MailandProton VPNuse, so you know it’s airtight. Plus, you can get both Proton Drive and Proton VPN as part of Proton’s Unlimited package for only $7.99 when you buy for two years, and with a 30-day money-back guarantee there’s no reason not to take it for a spin.
If the malware is identified before it hits your computer, however, that’s even better. Using an integrated VPN and antivirus service, likeNordVPN, can help you out here.
NordVPN uses a variety of methods, including a DNS blocklist and heuristic-based malware scanning, to identify viruses and keep them off your computer. NordVPN also filters out ads so there’s less chance of malware catching you unawares via a dodgy pop-up, too.
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If you’re uncertain about a file, and want to see if it’s hiding a nasty surprise, you can check outNordVPN’s Threat ProtectionPro scheme. It’ll upload the file to a cloud-based execution environment where NordVPN will run the program for you and work out whether or not it’s infected.
This is all included as part of NordVPN’s Plus plan – which you cancheck out for just $13.98 a monthif you go for the 1-year plan. It’s a no-brainer if you want to keep ransomware away from your device (and all your important files). Plus, you can make good use of the VPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee to try it for a month before committing to a long-term subscription.
Sam Dawson is a cybersecurity expert who has over four years of experience reviewing security-related software products. He focuses his writing on VPNs and security, previouslywriting for ProPrivacybefore freelancing for Future PLC’s brands, including TechRadar. Between running a penetration testing company and finishing a PhD focusing on speculative execution attacks at the University of Kent, he still somehow finds the time to keep an eye on how technology is impacting current affairs.
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