“This operating system has been locked for security reasons.”

“You have browsed illicit material and must pay a fine.”

Ever seen these messages while surfing online? This is a scam employed by cyber criminals through using a malware to disable the victims’ computers until they pay a sum of money.

Background

Ransomware first emerged in Russia and Eastern Europe in 2009 and has spread all across the globe, causing major data security issues. Professional cyber gangs will be able to enter your computer and identify your location, masking messages as those from local authority to increase its credibility. The malware disables the computer completely and it seems impossible to access unless ransom is paid.

Statistics show that about 68,000 computers are infected by ransomware monthly and out of which 2.9% will choose to pay. Ransom typically range from $60 to $200 which means that cyber criminal could potentially earn up to $394,000 every month! Estimation shows that $5 million is being extorted from victims every year.

Prevention

• Backup your data regularly. It is important to diversify you backup activity so the failure of any single source will not lead to irreversible loss of data. It is ideal to store a copy in your cloud server and an offline source such as a portable hard disk.

• Install security software that are up to date is extremely as malwares are changing every day. What worked yesterday might not work today, it is said that having an outdated security software is as bad as having no protection.

• Configure your webmail server to block suspicious attachments with extensions like .exe, .vbs, .scr, which are common virus files. If the message is sent by someone unfamiliar, refrain from opening any attachments as emails can be masked as notifications from a delivery service, an e-commerce resource, a law enforcement agency, or a banking institution.

Your Million data is very important to your business, watch how to backup you database:

如何预防勒索软件(RAMSOMWARE)？

“由于安全原因，此操作系统已被锁定。”

“你浏览了非法资料，须缴付罚款。”

你在上网时可曾见到过这些信息？ 这是网络罪犯使用的一种诈骗手法，他们以恶意软件锁住受害者的电脑直到他们支付一笔赎钱 。

背景

勒索软件（Ransomware）于2009年首次出现在俄罗斯和东欧，现已遍布全球，造成严重的数据安全问题。 专业网络帮派能够进入你的电脑并识别你的位置，将自己的信息伪装成来自当地的管辖者以提高其信誉。 恶意软件能使你的电脑完全失效，仿佛除了支付赎金以外，没有其他方法可以破解。

统计显示，每月大约有6.8万台电脑受到勒索软件（ransomware）的感染，其中2.9％的用户选择支付赎金。 金额大多在60和200美元间，意味着网络犯罪者每月可能赚取高达39.4万美元！ 估计显示，每年约有500万美元是从受害者处敲诈而来。

预防措施

•定期备份数据。 将你的备份活动多样化是非常重要的，这样一来就算某一个备份来源受到了毁坏，也不会造成无可收复的损失。最理想的做法是将数据副本存储在云服务器里（cloud server）和离线源头 (offline source) 如便携式硬盘 。

• 因为恶意软件每天都在进化所以你必须安装最新的安全软件。 昨天有效的软件不代表今天还能起作用。拥有过时的安全软件和没有安全软件是一样糟糕的。

•将您的网络邮件服务器设置为阻挡具有扩展名（.exe，.vbs，.scr）的可疑附件。这些扩展名是病毒文件常有的。 如果电邮来自不熟悉的人，请尽量选择不要打开任何附件，因为电子邮件很有可能被伪装成来自电子商务，执法机构或银行机构的通知。

你的百万数据对您的生意非常重要。学习如何备份你的数据：