What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data on a victim’s computer, making it inaccessible, and then demands a ransom payment to unlock it. Ransomware attacks have been on the rise in recent years, and they can be very costly for businesses.
How do ransomware attacks work?
Ransomware attacks typically start with the victim clicking on a malicious link or attachment in an email. The ransomware then encrypts data on the victim’s computer, making it inaccessible. The attacker then typically demands a ransom payment in order to unlock the data.
How can ransomware be prevented?
Ransomware can be prevented by using strong antivirus software, keeping software up to date, and being careful about what links and attachments you click on.
Device Types Affected by Ransomware
In the past, ransomware attacks have largely targeted Windows users, but cybercriminals have been increasingly targeting users of other device types, including Android and iOS devices.
Android Devices
Ransomware targeting Android devices first appeared in late 2013, and the number of Android ransomware attacks has been increasing steadily since then. In a typical Android ransomware attack, the victim is tricked into downloading a malicious app that locks the device’s screen and displays a ransom message. The message demands that the victim pay a ransom to unlock the device.
One of the most common Android ransomware families is called Simplocker. Simplocker encrypts the victim’s files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt the files. Another common Android ransomware family is called Android/Lockerpin. Android/Lockerpin locks the device’s screen and displays a ransom message that demands a payment in order to unlock the device.
Android ransomware can also infect devices through malicious ads. In one such attack, a malicious ad infected thousands of Android devices by redirecting them to a website that installed the ransomware.
iOS Devices
Unlike Android devices, iOS devices are not typically targeted by ransomware because they are more difficult to infect with ransomware. However, there have been a few cases of ransomware targeting iOS devices.
One such case is the ransomware known as KeyRaider. KeyRaider targets devices that are jailbroken, which means that the security restrictions that have been put in place by Apple have been bypassed. KeyRaider was able to infect about 225,000 devices and it is believed to have stolen about 225,000 Apple account credentials.
Windows Devices
Windows devices are the most commonly targeted by ransomware, and the number of ransomware attacks against Windows devices has been increasing steadily in recent years.
There are several different types of ransomware that target Windows devices, including ransomware that encrypts the victim’s files, ransomware that locks the device’s screen, and ransomware that performs both of these functions.
One of the most common types of ransomware that targets Windows devices is called CryptoLocker. CryptoLocker encrypts the victim’s files and then demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt the files. CryptoLocker was so successful that it caused over $3 billion in damage.
Another common type of ransomware that targets Windows devices is called ransomware.Locky. Ransomware.Locky locks the device’s screen and displays a ransom message that demands a payment in order to unlock the device.
Windows ransomware can also infect devices through malicious ads. In one such attack, a malicious ad infected thousands of Windows devices by redirecting them to a website that installed the ransomware.
Conclusion
The types of devices that are affected by ransomware are constantly changing as cybercriminals shift their focus to new device types. Android devices, iOS devices, and Windows devices are all currently being targeted by ransomware, and the number of attacks against these devices is increasing every year.