{"id":6708,"date":"2021-02-26T10:03:52","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T18:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/blog\/?p=6708"},"modified":"2021-02-26T11:33:12","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T19:33:12","slug":"what-is-ransomware-how-do-you-prevent-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/blog\/what-is-ransomware-how-do-you-prevent-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Ransomware & How Do You Prevent It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you heard about ransomware and fear it will happen to you? Learn what it is and how to prevent ransomware below\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In today\u2019s digital world, we all need access to some type of online data or system. This could be as simple as accessing your home computer or as vast as accessing a company network. Now, imagine if you were blocked from being to access that data or system and then a cybercriminal demanded some type of ransom payment in exchange for you regaining access. That would not be fun. And this is what ransomware is. And yes, the point I was making is ransomware = not fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How \u201cnot fun\u201d is it? Well, let\u2019s consider the ISS World ransomware attack<\/a> as an example. The Demark-based company was the subject of a ransomware attack that involved their employees losing access to their company emails for three weeks. When all was set and done, which included \u201cregaining control of the affected IT systems and re-launching critical business systems,\u201d ISS World was on the hook for $74 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, if you weren\u2019t scared before, I\u2019m sure you are now. Don\u2019t worry. We got you covered. In this article, we\u2019ll answer the question \u201cwhat is ransomware?\u201d and look at a few ways you can prevent it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Ransomware?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve already touched on what ransomware is from a high level, but let\u2019s dive into the topic more in depth. A ransomware<\/a> attack is a cyber-attack that involves an unwelcome party (hacker) using malware to prevent you from accessing your devices or data. But what makes this worse \u2014 and is the reason why it\u2019s known as a ransomware attack \u2014 is that they want something in return for giving you back access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In actuality, there are two components here that make up ransomware:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. The ransomware infection<\/strong>. A cybercriminal infects a device with a malicious software (malware) known as ransomware. This malware creates the denial of access to the device and\/or its data by either locking up the device or encrypting all of its files and other data.<\/li>
  2. The attacker\u2019s ransom demand.<\/strong> The cybercriminal uses the leverage they have to make a demand. Most commonly, they ask for cryptocurrency in exchange for a decryption key to give you back access to your data.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    But what exactly are ransomware operators trying to deny you access to? A hacker could be denying access to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n