How to Remove Ransomware

Understanding Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts the files on a computer, rendering them inaccessible to the user until a ransom is paid. The process typically starts with the user inadvertently downloading the ransomware through phishing emails, malicious links, or compromised websites. Once installed, the ransomware silently scans the system for valuable files and data. It then encrypts these files using a sophisticated encryption algorithm, locking them away from the user. The ransomware displays a ransom note, demanding payment in cryptocurrency to decrypt the files.

The Ransomware ransom note often includes a deadline and threats of permanent data loss if the ransom is not paid. Paying the ransom does not guarantee that the files will be restored and can encourage further attacks. To mitigate the risk, it is crucial to maintain up-to-date security measures, regularly back up data, and exercise caution when interacting with unknown emails or websites.

This Educational Video shows how a Ransomware attacker plans his attack on a school network.

For the best safety, we would advice that you back up your data to a Professional Cloud Data Backup site like CBackup with a strong R&D team help users realize PC-to-cloud, cloud-to-cloud data backup and protect the security of users' cloud storage data without data loss, where you get to backup all your important files forever. Even if you lose all your files to a virus or malware attack like Ransomware attack where in all your files are encrypted, you can format your computer immediately and start afresh restoring all your important and sensitive files from your cloud backup on CBackup.

How Ransomware Spread so Fast?

Ransomware spreads quickly due to several factors:

1. Phishing Emails: Attackers send emails with malicious attachments or links. When recipients open these attachments or click on the links, and ransomware is installed on their systems.

2. Malvertising: Malicious advertisements on websites can redirect users to exploit kits that scan for vulnerabilities and deliver ransomware.

3. Exploit Kits: These kits exploit known vulnerabilities in software to install ransomware without user interaction or users knowledge.

4. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): Attackers can gain access to systems through poorly secured RDP connections and deploy ransomware.

5. Network Propagation: Once inside a network, ransomware can spread to other connected devices, encrypting files across the entire network.

6. Fileless Attacks: These attacks use legitimate system tools to execute ransomware without writing files to disk, making them harder to detect.

These methods, combined with the increasing sophistication of ransomware and the use of cryptocurrencies for ransom payments, make it a formidable threat.

This Educational Video gives a full insight into Ransomware, how it infects a system, how it spreads, what it works, how to mitigate ransomware attack etc.

Huge Money Made by Ransomware Cybercriminals

How much money do you think the cybercriminals make using Ransomware? In 2021 it was USD 1.2 billion. In 2023 it had crossed USD 20 billion. It is soon poised to cross USD 200 billion, not accounting for the money that organizations and businesses lose due to ransomware attack because even after paying up the ransom, there is no guarantee of the files being decrypted by the cybercriminals.

Watch this interesting video to learn how the Ransomware is executed and money is made by the cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals typically collect ransom payments in ransomware attacks through cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, due to their anonymity and difficulty to trace. Once the ransomware encrypts the victim's files, a ransom note is displayed, providing instructions on how to pay the ransom. This often includes a unique Bitcoin wallet address where the payment should be sent. The note may also include a deadline and threats of permanent data loss if the ransom is not paid. After the payment is made, the attackers may provide a decryption key to unlock the files, although this is not guaranteed.

Remove Ransomware

Ransomware removal after the ransomware attack has happened is impossible and in fact it is useless because all your files have already been encrypted by the Ransomware. You can't decrypt the files unless you have the encryption key. Either you pay the ransom to the cybercriminals and get the encryption key to decrypt all your files from them.

If you don't want to pay the ransom, then you can format your hard disk and start a fresh Windows or Mac installation or factory reset your phone and start afresh. But, an organization or a business cannot work without their PC, Laptops, Tabs and Phones. For them as said earlier, Prevention is Better than Cure.

What to do Before and After Ransomware Attack

Before the Ransomware Attack:

Have a good anti-malware software like Malwarebytes_Premium installed in your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. Malwarebytes is the world's #1 Anti-Malware Software which can Remove Ransomware, and in addition remove all Malware, Virus, Worms, Spyware, Adware, Rootkits, Browser Hijackers and much more.

After the Ransomware Attack:

You never know when will the Ransomware attack happen. To be safer, start backing up your files on some professional Data Backup sites like CBackup so that you can start afresh after a Ransomware happens to you, without paying any Ransom to the cybercriminals. It does take an hour or two to format or wipe your hard disk and re-install Windows or Mac and Factory Reset your Phone. Once Operating system is installed it is easy to restore your files and folders from CBackup.

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