Ransomware is a malicious type of software that attacks a computer and demands a ransom to return access to the owner. When the computer is under attack, the owner is unable to access the files, which is sometimes critical to work. If the owner doesn’t pay the ransom in a short period of time, they risk losing access altogether. Take a look at the following six types of ransomware so that you can take precautions to stop these attacks.
1. Crypto Malware
Crypto malware is a type of ransomware that can cause a great deal of damage. It will encrypt your files, folders, and hard drive. In fact, there have been highly public attacks of this kind where the hacker demanded a large payment in Bitcoin to restore access to the files.
2. Scareware
Scareware is a type of software that poses as a cleaner for your computer. It often shows up as a pop-up and warns you that your computer has infected files. People panic and agree to buy software to fix the problem, but the software is actually malware that can steal personal information once downloaded.
Another way that scareware is deployed is via a spam email. Once the email is opened, people are tricked into buying a fake computer-cleaning program. This releases personal data including a credit card number, which allows these thieves to steal their identity. The best way to avoid this is to never open a pop-up or click on a link in an email.
3. RaaS
RaaS stands for ransomware as a service. It is a type of malware that makes it easy for cyber criminals to launch attacks. Most ransomware requires that a cyber criminal have a basic knowledge of coding, but RaaS does not.
With this type of ransomware, cyber criminals write the code and rent or sell the program to other cyber criminals who wish to launch an attack on a system. They also manage the decryptors, which is the software that restores data access after an attack, and they split the ransom with the cyber criminal who launches the attack.
4. Lockers
Locker ransomware is designed to infect the operating system and lock you out of your computer. It is often an android-based ransomware. The code for this ransomware is encrypted with AES, and it is nearly impossible to break. You will have to pay the ransom to gain access to your files.
Once it locks a computer, the software will often send a pop-up that says the computer is locked. It demands a fee to unlock the computer. The message may claim to be from the government or some other official organization.
5. Mac Ransomware
Mac computers were attacked for the first time in 2016 by a software called KeRanger. An app called Transmission infects files after it is downloaded and launched, and the Mac is locked. In general, Mac Ransomware is ransomware that is designed to target Apple desktops and laptops.
Usually this ransomware is downloaded in an infected version of an app. The best way to protect a Mac is to keep it up-to-date and be careful not to click and install anything suspicious. Never click links in emails from unknown users, and only install apps from the Mac App Store.
6. Doxware
Doxware is also called leakware or extortionware. It claims to have your personal information, and it threatens to publish it online unless you pay a ransom. While most ransomware goes after an entire hard drive, Doxware targets keywords that are likely to store personal information including bank information and photos. People often pay the ransom in a panic.