Security vulnerabilities – are you a potential target of a ransomware attack? One of our main partners against such crimes is Kaskpersky.
There are a number of factors that might make you the target of a ransomware attack
Never click on unsafe links:
Avoid clicking on links in spam messages or on
unknown websites. If you click on malicious links, an automatic download could
be started, which could lead to your computer being infected.
Avoid disclosing personal information:
If you receive a call, text message, or email from an untrusted source requesting personal information, do not reply. Cybercriminals who are planning a ransomware attack might try to collect personal information in advance, which is then used to tailor phishing messages specifically to you. If in any doubt as to whether the message is legitimate, contact the sender directly.
Do not open suspicious email attachments:
Ransomware can also find
its way to your device through email attachments. Avoid opening any dubious-
looking attachments. To make sure the email is trustworthy, pay close attention to
the sender and check that the address is correct. Never open attachments that
prompt you to run macros to view them. If the attachment is infected, opening it
will run a malicious macro that gives malware control of your computer.
Never use unknown USB sticks:
Never connect USB sticks or other
storage media to your computer if you do not know where they came from.
Cybercriminals may have infected the storage medium and placed it in a public
place to entice somebody into using it.
Keep your programs and operating system up to date:
Regularly
updating programs and operating systems helps to protect you from malware.
When performing updates, make sure you benefit from the latest security
patches. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in your
programs.
Use only known download sources:
To minimize the risk of downloading
ransomware, never download software or media files from unknown sites. Rely
on verified and trustworthy sites for downloads. Websites of this kind can be
recognized by the trust seals. Make sure that the browser address bar of the
page you are visiting uses “https” instead of “http”. A shield or lock symbol in the
address bar can also indicate that the page is secure. Also exercise caution
when downloading anything to your mobile device. You can trust the Google Play
Store or the Apple App Store, depending on your device.
Use VPN services on public Wi-Fi networks:
Conscientious use of public
Wi-Fi networks is a sensible protective measure against ransomware. When
using a public Wi-Fi network, your computer is more vulnerable to attacks. To
stay protected, avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions or use a secure
VPN service.