How ransomware happens
People ask: “How does ransomware get into my computers?”
Ransomware gets into your systems in three basic ways
- Phishing - tricking end users into clicking on a link in an email message that appears to be from a trusted and legitimate source, e.g. a colleague.
- Trojans, worms and other virus-like programs that have an encapsulated ransomware or download it from external sources.
- DoS Attack - when your system is overwhelmed and some defenses are down.
How does ransomware infection able to install itself?
This usually happens if an "ordinary" user has administrative system privileges. Admin privileges are absolutely necessary, but not intended for everyday routine use, e.g. working with Email, Documents, Graphics, Audio, Video, etc.
How to protect from ransomware
Aside from assuring system security and availability...
Treat every email and every website as a potential source of ransomware or a doorway to ransomware source.
The best defense is your behavior, look closer to the source of email, email headers, website URL's and authority, e.g., company, brand.
