Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts computer data, holding it for ransom until the victim pays the requested amount of money. Still, most cyber criminals won't send the data decryption key, even after getting paid. Here's how to prevent most of these attacks.
INSTALL A GOOD ANTIVIRUS
It's one of the most efficient ways to keep hackers at bay, so be sure to use it. Choose a computer security suite that's got a high rating, offering real-time scanning, ransomware protection, and so on. Read reviews posted by reputable websites, and then invest your money into a good antivirus.
KEEP THE OS AND APPLICATIONS UPDATED
Many hackers utilize known operating system and software vulnerabilities to get access to their victims' computer data. By keeping the OS and apps up to date, you will make it much harder for the bad guys to infect your system.
DON'T CLICK EMAIL LINKS
Links which are included in unsolicited emails can't harm computer users, provided that people don't click them. Once that a person has clicked a link that leads to an infected website, the ransomware application is downloaded in the background, and then starts encrypting personal and OS files. So, to keep your computer safe, don't ever click the links that come with spam mail!
DON'T OPEN EMAIL ATTACHMENTS
Avoid opening unsolicited emails attachments as well; 99% of them are viruses which will be run as soon as you open them, and then they'll start damaging your computer. Even if you receive unsolicited attachments from persons you know and trust, it's best to call them and verify that they've sent you those files indeed. Some hackers manage to break into other people's email accounts, and then use them to send infected attachments to all the persons in that account's address book. No matter what happens, don't forget to scan any attachment, even if it comes from a legit source, before opening it.
DON'T DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE FROM FISHY SITES
Less-known sites may offer many expensive applications for free, but most of these apps will be infected with malware, including ransomware. Therefore, you should only download software from trustworthy websites.
USE YOUR EMAIL PROVIDER'S SPAM TOOLS
No matter what email system you use, your email provider has got some spam filtering tools in place. Be sure to activate them, and then make use of them. By doing this, many of the dangerous emails will be deleted right away or placed in your account's "spam" folder.
AVOID PLUGGING OTHER PEOPLE'S USB STICKS INTO YOUR COMPUTER
According to a study by Microsoft, 26% of all malware infections are due to USB flash drives which make use of the AutoRun feature. And believe it or not, 50% of people who find a USB stick in a parking lot will plug it into their computers! Avoid doing this and you'll be one step ahead of the cyber villains.
BACK UP YOUR DATA
This article is titled "how to prevent most ransomware attacks" on purpose, because frankly, it is almost impossible to prevent all cyberattacks. Many government institutions have been successfully attacked by hackers, and they've got qualified computer security consultants on their payrolls. Hopefully, you aren't a target; nevertheless, it is always a good idea to back up your computer(s) regularly. This way, if something bad happens, you will be able to restore all the data without too much effort.