Ransomware is a type of malware*.<o:p></o:p>
* The Latin root word mal means “bad” or “evil.” This root
is used in many English words, including “malformed, maltreat, and malice”.
Mal-
means “bad” in the word malfunction, which means a “badly” working
part
Mal-
means “evil” in the word malice, which
means intentional “evil” done to another.
-ware
is short form for the word software.
Ransomware
is a form of malware (virus) that prevents users from accessing their computer’s
system and files. Your computer will be locked (unable to use) until you pay a ransom
(money) to the hacker.
The ransomware program has several names, including: “WanaCryt0r”, “WeCry”, “WanaCrypt” or “WeCrypt0r”.
In the last few days, hundreds of thousands (e.g., 100,000–900,000) computers were infected by a malware program called “ransomware”. The virus (ransomware) got into computers through a flaw (vulnerability/weakness) in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems (MS-OS).
Experts recommend against paying ransoms because it does it not guarantee that your system will be unlocked (return to normal), and it also funds future crime.
TO BE CONTINUED - SEE THE COMMENTS BELOW FOR TIPS ABOUT HOW TO DEFEND AGAINST RANSOMEWARE
- Update all Microsoft Office applications.
- Download free antivirus/anti-malware programs. Here are links to free programs that I have used:
https://www.avast.com/en-ca/index
https://www.malwarebytes.com
https://spywareblaster.en.softonic.com/download
NOTE: I am not a computer or Internet Technology (IT) expert, but I am always as careful as I can be when I use the internet.
FEEDBACK AND ADVICE: Several of my ESL students on italki are very knowledgeable about the internet.
I hope other italki members will provide feedback/advice to help all the good italki members.
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How to defend against the ransomware
- Windows 10 is safe, but all other previous versions of the MS-OS are not safe.
- Microsoft has released free security updates (patches) to correct the OS vulnerability
The updates can be downloaded by clicking on Windows Updates
- Delete emails from sources that you do not recognize.
- Do not click on or download attachments that you do not recognize or trust.
You seem to know much in this field. Your discussion is really useful.
When I was writing this comment, I heard the news that there is a new virus, which is kind of WannaCry. It doesn't lock files or system but the users will become its financial tool unawarely. This is hard to detect.
Hopefully we will be safe after this period.
Trinh...
I did a little research to try to identify the origin of the name, but I could not find an answer.
I did find an interesting link to an anti-malware provider called Trend Micro: https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/definition/ransomware
Anti-Ransomeware Tools and Solutions
Trend Micro offers free tools such as the <a href="https://esupport.trendmicro.com/en-us/home/pages/technical-support/1105975.aspx" style="font-family: inherit; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Trend Micro Lock Screen Ransomware Tool</a>, designed to detect and remove screen locker ransomware. The <a href="http://esupport.trendmicro.com/solution/en-US/1114221.aspx" style="font-family: inherit; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Trend Micro Crypto-Ransomware File Decryptor Tool</a> can decrypt files locked by certain variants of crypto-ransomware without paying the ransom or the use of the decryption key.
One More Tip
Backup your important files regularly on an external storage device such as the cloud, an external hard drive, or a USB drive.
If you are hacked, you can then reformat your hard drive (delete everything on the drive) and then re-install your programs and files.
