Columnists

Geek Speak… New Ransomware Hitting Millions

Issue 21.17

You may have seen news items about the WannaCryWannaCrypt malware hitting computers around the globe. It is serious and very difficult or impossible to recover from. I will outline how to avoid it, protect yourself from it and possible recovery options – though those are few and far from definite.
This program is termed Ransomware because it encrypts your data files so you cannot open them unless you pay a ransom (usually $300) at which point you supposedly get a password key that will un-encrypt the files. The perpetrators require that you buy bitcoin cyber money and send it to them. We examined bitcoin a couple of months ago but the short version is that it is an anonymous way of keeping or transferring money, believed to be untraceable by governments, etc. That is a high price to pay, but people are considering it. The problem is that there is no current evidence that the perpetrators will actually send you the decryption key if you pay.
The only machines that are being attacked currently are Windows machines (windows xp, vista, server, 7, 8 or 10) that have not had the recent security updates from Microsoft installed. The most significant number of affected machines are those using Windows 7, but all others are also vulnerable unless the software is up to date. This is because users of older systems such as Win7 are less likely to be keeping their systems updated. I am including the official Microsoft information page as a link so you can read up in depth if you want to. That is also where you can download the updates if you have not done so. Make sure your Windows Update system is working and all critical updates are installed.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-security/wanna-cry-ransomware/5afdb045-8f36-4f55-a992-53398d21ed07
The most important things in this release are the following precautions
• Be careful to never click on harmful links in your emails.
• Be wary of visiting unsafe or unreliable sites (especially free downloads or porn).
• Never click on a link that you do not trust on a web page, Facebook or messaging applications such as WatSab and other applications.
• If you receive a message from a friend containing a link, ask them if they sent it before opening the link, (infected machines send random messages with links).
• Keep your files backed up regularly.
• Be aware of fraudulent e-mail messages that use names similar to popular services such as PayePal instead of PayPal or use popular service names without commas or excessive characters.
• Use a good anti-virus and always make sure you have the last update.
• Make sure your windows OS has the last update or close the gap from the instructions on this link.
Finally, if you are hit by this, do NOT shut off the machine and DO immediately call your computer professional for assistance. There is a slight chance they may be able to save your data, but only if you do NOTHING before calling them. Always make sure you remember to protect your data, documents, pictures and your computer, phone and tablet by always backing up anything important and in this case, it is best if the backup is not connected to your computer but is separate or in the cloud.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 34 years, 27 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently works as a computer consultant. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or mccausland.shaun54@gmail.com .

Comments are closed.