Common Ransomware Attacks

Malicious software exploits have been around since the beginning of the personal computer age. Hackers and criminals saw the potential for destruction and extortion early and exploited bugs and gaps in computer operating systems and application software to attack both businesses and individual users. Viruses, trojan horses, malware and other destructive software began to flourish in the 1990s, when the internet made communication between computers so much simpler. The threats, then and now, number in the thousands, with new malicious software created every day.

In response to these threats, many companies, including McAfee, Norton, AVG, MalwareBytes, Kaspersky and others developed software programs that block and remove viruses, trojan horses and malware. Microsoft, too, has created such anti-virus and anti-malware software and supplies it to its operating system users at no charge. The battle is constant, and all those protective programs are updated constantly, with automatic features that help users stay current in their protection. In addition, operating systems are updated frequently to fix bugs and protect access points used by hackers.

Ransomware, a type of trojan horse software designed to extort money from its victims, first appeared in about 2012. Exploiting weaknesses in operating systems and other software, it locks up computer systems, encrypts data and files, and then demands payment to restore the files and access. Since these attacks are done by criminals, payment is no assurance of anything, however. In 2017, ransomware attacks became more frequent and more dangerous to sensitive data. As a leader in IT Services in the Twin Cities metro, we want you to have the latest information on these dangerous criminal extortion methods. Working backwards, here are some of the most well-known and destructive ransomware exploits:

Data Security and Ransomware Recovery Services – Minneapolis St. Paul, MN

No matter how large or small your business is, it’s vulnerable to all sorts of threats from outside. Today, viruses, malware and ransomware are becoming more and more sophisticated and attacks are becoming more common each year. At Computer Lifeline, we want you to be fully informed about threats to your systems and data and to learn how to protect your business from extortion. You’ll find the information you need on our website and the expertise you need to design a data security strategy and for recovery services if you are attacked by this type of exploit. Contact us today to discuss your needs and for a consultation on measures you should take.