AplusWebMaster
Topic Starter
FYI…
- http://www.techweb.com/article/printableAr…_section=700028
July 25, 2006
"Attacks where criminals hold kidnapped data for ransom are becoming more sophisticated, a security company said Tuesday. It's only a matter of time before hackers have the upper hand. Although "ransomware" remains relatively rare, Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs stressed in a recently-published report* that the threat is quickly increasing… In a typical ransomware attack, the criminal reaches into a compromised computer – victimized earlier by a worm or Trojan – and grabs a slew of files. He then encrypts those files, making them impossible for the owner to access them. Later, the attacker sends the victim an e-mail ransom demand for the encryption key that unlocks the frozen files. "This is a serious threat," said Coursen. "This is a threat that if it affects your system, there's no way to recover your data"… Consumers are most at risk from ransomware, Coursen added, because while businesses regularly back up data and follow set security policies, at-home and small business users usually neglect both. Other than the standard advice – update the operating system, use a firewall, and deploy up-to-date anti-virus to keep the computer from being compromised in the first place – Coursen recommended consumers start backing up. "Backups are very important today, more important than ever," he said. "And it's so much easier to back up now."
* http://www.viruslist.com/en/analysis?pubid=191951869#gpcode
- http://www.techweb.com/article/printableAr…_section=700028
July 25, 2006
"Attacks where criminals hold kidnapped data for ransom are becoming more sophisticated, a security company said Tuesday. It's only a matter of time before hackers have the upper hand. Although "ransomware" remains relatively rare, Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs stressed in a recently-published report* that the threat is quickly increasing… In a typical ransomware attack, the criminal reaches into a compromised computer – victimized earlier by a worm or Trojan – and grabs a slew of files. He then encrypts those files, making them impossible for the owner to access them. Later, the attacker sends the victim an e-mail ransom demand for the encryption key that unlocks the frozen files. "This is a serious threat," said Coursen. "This is a threat that if it affects your system, there's no way to recover your data"… Consumers are most at risk from ransomware, Coursen added, because while businesses regularly back up data and follow set security policies, at-home and small business users usually neglect both. Other than the standard advice – update the operating system, use a firewall, and deploy up-to-date anti-virus to keep the computer from being compromised in the first place – Coursen recommended consumers start backing up. "Backups are very important today, more important than ever," he said. "And it's so much easier to back up now."
* http://www.viruslist.com/en/analysis?pubid=191951869#gpcode