A ransomware is a basically is a set of computer code that is written to encrypt different kinds of files present on a computer. This code is now being used to get a hold of the files present on different computers in order to hold them for ransom. In simpler words, when a computer gets affected by ransomware, the virus encrypts the operating system as well as majority of the data present on the computer. Then the hackers contact the owner of the computer to let them know about the situation and ask them to pay a heavy amount of money to get their computer decrypted. Several different kinds of ransomware viruses have emerged the horizon over the past years but the deadliest one so far is known as WannaCry. Evidence has come to light that links this virus to North Korean hackers who have been previously involved in a number of notorious cyber crimes including the hacking of a polish bank as well as the infamous hacking of Sony studios.
Part 1: What is Wannacry Ransomware?
WannaCry is certain kind of computer viruses called ransomware. It is known to get into the computer of a victim when they download an unwanted file or make a click on the wrong button. The virus is so powerful that it encrypts all the files present on a computer within just a few seconds. In other words, everything on a computer gets locked and inaccessible. After the computer gets locked, its owner is usually approached by the hackers who ask them to pay a ransom in order to get their computer up and running again. The ransom is usually somewhere around $300 and the hackers demand you to pay it through bitcoins. The worst part about WannaCry is the fact that there is no guarantee that you would be able to get all your files back even after you have paid the ransom fair and square. So the best approach in this regard is to protect yourself the best possible way. A few details on how you might be able to get your guard up in order to prevent WannaCry are given below.
Part 3: Patch Windows with the latest software updates
Since the virus was affecting computers running on Windows operating system, Microsoft immediately floated different patches for different variants of MS windows in order to make them better protected against the malicious code. So the first thing that you need to do in order to secure your computer is to download and install the latest security patches into your computer. You can easily get them downloaded from the Windows updates center. Once you are done, move on to the next section.
Part 4: Back up all your files
The best approach to keep yourself safe from paying any money as a ransom is to back up all the important data present on your computer. This way, even if you get hacked by WannaCry or any other virus in the world, you would be able to gain access to all your files by making use of the back up taken previously. It is highly recommended to keep on updating your backup on a regular basis so that you might be able to get everything back in case of a security breach.
Part 5: Install and run antivirus software
One of the most important things to do in order to prevent getting attacked by any kind of virus is to install a good quality antivirus system on your computer. These programs are highly trained and updated to fight a variety of different kinds of viruses and other notorious programs in order to safeguard a computer against their effects. So, the first and most important thing to do in order to prevent your computer from getting attacked by a malicious computer virus is to install and run a good antivirus on your computer. It is highly recommended to keep on installing the updates launched by the antivirus on a regular basis. This way, your computer would stay protected from the latest threats floating onto the internet.
Part 6: Don't open unexpected email attachments
The easiest and most common means for a virus to get into your computer is through your mailbox. When an email gets into our inbox, we all start feeling a bit concerned and curious about what’s inside it. So our curiosity leads us towards opening exactly what we shouldn’t be opening and when we realize it, it's too late already. So an important thing that strictly needs to be kept in mind is that you do not have to open up the attachments coming with any unexpected emails ever. There is a good chance that such kind of emails might be carrying a notorious virus like WannaCry. So all you need to do is to delete this kind of emails and be very cautious. Otherwise you can lose everything present on your computer within a matter of just a few seconds.
Part 7: Don't download pirated movies, music or software
One of the most common and easiest ways for a virus to get into your computer is through pirated software, music, movies, TV series and other similar stuff. Everyone loves downloading stuff through torrent websites as they offer everything for free. While you are surfing such websites, you need to bear in mind that they are home to some of the most notorious viruses on the internet. Therefore, you need to make every single click with an extreme level of cautiousness. One wrong click and you would regret it for the rest of your life.
You also need to be cautious about the stuff that you download or plan on downloading from these websites. It is very important to evaluate the contents of the torrent files before you actually download something on to your computer. Otherwise it might be too late for your computer.
