Ransomware Protection

Not just your OS. You need to keep your browsers, plugins, and apps updated for vulnerabilities. Any of these can be used as an attack vector by hackers.

You should also be setup for routine backups, and not using an admin account when connected to the Net? Right?

Lord - not trying to start a Windows flame session - but some operating systems are less vulnerable/targeted than others.

Windows update is a line of defense. While far from perfect, the unfortunate fact is that a lot of hacks come in thru holes long patched in the OS. So yeah, if you're running Windows - keep those updates turned on.

The other protection against ransomware is to have backups of everything you care about. Then, if your harddrive gets encrypted and ransomed, you don't care. Wipe it and install the OS fresh.

Windows likes (needs) a fresh install every couple of years. ;)

pconroy328 wrote:
Lord - not trying to start a Windows flame session - but some operating systems are less vulnerable/targeted than others.

Windows update is a line of defense. While far from perfect, the unfortunate fact is that a lot of hacks come in thru holes long patched in the OS. So yeah, if you're running Windows - keep those updates turned on.

The other protection against ransomware is to have backups of everything you care about. Then, if your harddrive gets encrypted and ransomed, you don't care. Wipe it and install the OS fresh.

Windows likes (needs) a fresh install every couple of years. ;)

What is the source for the "needs" fresh install. I know any PCs that are many years old and still happy as can be.

owenssailor wrote:

What is the source for the "needs" fresh install. I know any PCs that are many years old and still happy as can be.

I think this is a holdover from DOS, not needed anymore
Back then it was easy to do, three or four floppies.

owenssailor wrote:
What is the source for the "needs" fresh install. I know any PCs that are many years old and still happy as can be.

And if you never connect them to the internet, no need to update them.

joebedford wrote:
And if you never connect them to the internet, no need to update them.

And if you never connect them to the Internet, why have them. :)

The only way to really protect yourself is keeping rotating disk clones, if your hit go back and do a bit of rebuilding. Backup current files on a flash drive that you remove when not storing info. Never clicking on those links you don't know, and never opening a file you were not expecting is the front line of defense.
The anti-malware programs do little for protection cause you invite malware on in, as opposed to it forcing itself in, for the vast majority of cases. They will find dozens of harmless problems. The use of signatures is no longer useful, the malware folks figure out how to continuously modify their signatures years ago.

I have Avast running, and use Malwarebytes and CCleaner periodically to scan and cleanout the computer.

I also use Mozilla Firefox with AdBlocker to surf the internet - I am always shocked at the amount of ads that are on Google and Internet Explorer the rare time I use those... usually to access a specific video or site that only uses those. AdBlocker is fantastic for reducing the advertisement pop-ups and blocks most spamware (similar to popup ads, just more annoying).

Most viruses and malware, as mentioned already, come in the form of something you click on to "open", usually disguised as from a friend or well known website. If it seem suspicious, don't click on it. All the "anti-virus" programs in the world will not help you if you actually click on / download the virus. They can warn you of a shady website, but you have to pay attention to the warnings.

There have been malware that disguise themselves as a Microsoft security program - those can be tricky, because they look legitimate. I know a few people who were caught by that.

Backing up / saving your information - YES! Do, and do it constantly. I used to pretend that I backed up my computers regularly, but finally admitted that I was lucky to remember to do it every few months, then realized that I was only doing once a year. Some computer geeks I know have hard drives that they back up to every day, but I never remembered to do it that often or even close.

I finally gave in and now use a paid "cloud" service that backs up our computers EVERY night automatically. I actually have used those backups a few times when getting a new computer, and if I accidentally delete a file. The cost of the service has certainly paid for itself. I use Mozy, but there are others - Carbonite, Barracuda, ect that all work similarly. You do have to keep your computer hooked up to the internet, but it works great for me. And save my rear end a few times!

Cybereason software is probably the best product to block ransomware. There is a version for home users.

The latest "Ransomware" was "patched" out some months back, Windows Defender which is part of the windows automatic updates. Not only kills it but vacinates against it.. Of course there will be a new version coming out soon.

However the best "Protion" is between the eyes and fingers... Many Ransomware "Attacks" are launched by a web page.. It has some alarming graphics and some text

WARNING, YOUR COMPUTER IS INFECRTED.. WE HAVE FOUND (random number) OF VIRUS INVEXTRIONS bla bla bla.

I've had to "Crash" out of a few such pages (Force computer shutdown) but follow up scans by multiple anti-malware products came up clean.