Have you been hacked, or do you know someone who has? People make the internet vibrant, but we’re also the weakest link. We\u2019re predictable, and often easily fooled. And, as malicious software threats are indeed present on the Internet, it\u2019s important for us to be able to spot them before we fall victim.<\/p>\n
One form of malware that\u2019s received lots of press coverage lately \u2014 due to WannaCry<\/a> and Petya<\/a> attacks \u2014\u00a0is ransomware<\/b>. Ransomware is software created by actual people who use it to make a profit via extortion. Internet users receive a message (often a pop-up), and the software takes over your keyboard, computer or phone. It then blocks access to your files and data until you pay ransom. Usually, the ransom is asked for in bitcoin so that it\u2019s not trackable, and the ransom monetary ask increases the longer you wait to pay it.<\/p>\n While you may not be able to completely eliminate your risk of falling victim to ransomware, there are certainly things you can do to to protect yourself from attacks. Specifically: update your software and get to know the ransomware industry.<\/p>\n Update Your Software<\/b><\/p>\n You could drive around with old, burned-out brake lights on your car, but it would make driving more dangerous than it should be. And if we all did that, it would get really dangerous, fast! Updating to the latest security software, browser, and operating system provides an important defense against viruses, malware, and other online threats.<\/p>\n