Ransomware

The latest spin on a ransom note isn't composed of letters clipped out of a newspaper. Now criminals are unleashing brash attacks on your PC and its data through a type of malicious software called ransomware. Yes, I am talking about the cyber-attack that wreaked havoc across the world over the starting month of May 2016. By starting of the week ransomware had targeted around 200,000 organizations in 150 countries. It is a kind of cyber-attack that involves hackers taking control of a computer or mobile device and demanding payment. More specifically it is for data kidnapping, an exploit in which the attacker encrypts the victim's data and demands payment for the decryption key, this program may also be called a cryptovirus, cryptotrojan or cryptoworm.

What it actually does?

It uses Cerber to do so. Let me explain cerber a little it is a is a ransomware-type malware that infiltrates the system and encrypts various file types including .jpg, .doc, .raw, .avi, etc. Cerber adds a. cerber extension to each encrypted file. Following successful infiltration, Cerber demands a ransom payment to decrypt these files in a certain time in Bitcoins. Yes, bitcoins not in Dollars or Euro. Actually Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and a digital payment system invented by an unknown programmer, or a group of programmers, under the name Satoshi Nakamoto. It was released as open-source software in 2009.

How transaction is made:

The system is peer-to-peer, and transactions take place between users directly, without an intermediary. These transactions are verified by network nodes and recorded in a public distributed ledger called the blockchain. Since the system works without a central repository or single administrator, bitcoin is called the first decentralized digital currency. You would be surprised to know that one Bitcoin is 194936.76 Pakistani rupees. Now we all have question arising in our head that how do we protect ourselves from this attack so here are simple short technique to follow:

·        Use reputable antivirus software and a firewall

·         Back up often

·         Enable your popup blocker

·         Exercise caution. Avoid suspicious links

·         Alert authorities

·         Always install updates

And Never pay the ransom if possible as it encourages them to grab more victims.

(Muhammad Adeel)