Ransomware Solutions

Ransomware FAQ's

• 1. What is ransomware?

  Ransomware is a type of malware, similar to a virus, designed to prevent you from accessing your data until you pay a ransom, usually demanded in Bitcoin. This digital extortion racket can lock your computer or keyboard, or encrypt your files using a private key that only the attacker possesses.

• 2. How does ransomware infect a computer?

  Ransomware is often spread through phishing emails containing malicious attachments, or when a user unknowingly visits an infected website that downloads the malware without the user’s knowledge.

• 3. How can ransomware impact my business?

  Ransomware can lead to the temporary or permanent loss of sensitive or proprietary information, disruption to regular operations, financial losses incurred to restore systems and files, and harm to an organization’s reputation. Ransomware infections can be devastating to an organization; and data recovery—if it’s possible at all—can be a difficult, potentially costly process requiring the services of a reputable data recovery specialist like TekConcierge.

• 4. How can you tell if ransomware is on your computer or network?

  There are several unmistakable symptoms of a successful ransomware attack. The first and most obvious is a splash screen blocking access to your desktop, menus, and computer files. The splash screen also usually provides instructions on how to pay the ransom to restore access. Other symptoms include files failing to open when you double-click them, the sudden appearance of unfamiliar or missing file extensions, or the presence of text files with instructions inside folders containing files that have been encrypted by the ransomware. These text files may be labeled “Read me”; “Decrypt your files”; or similar wording.

• 5. What kinds of devices can ransomware infect?

  While ransomware most commonly affects networked desktop computers, increasingly it is being found on mobile devices, such as tablets and smart phones. Alarmingly, ransomware may be transferred from a mobile device to a networked system of computers and mobile devices via corporate Wi-Fi.

• 6. What is the best way to resolve a ransomware threat?

  The most obvious way, of course, is simply to pay the ransom. However, the FBI advises against this; and in any case, there is no guarantee that the criminals who infected your devices will actually provide the decryption key once you have paid them. Depending on the type of ransomware, your anti-virus software may be able to restore your device to a usable, stable state. But by far the best strategy for combatting the ransomware threat is to avoid it altogether. You can effectively protect your computer and other devices from ransomware by being alert of the red flags raised by ransomware scams. Be especially wary of suspicious emails from unknown sources, avoid fake websites designed to resemble those of trusted or well-known brands, and never click on persistent popups from unfamiliar websites.