{"id":37185,"date":"2024-08-15T09:33:33","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T13:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.4kcc.com\/blog\/?p=37185"},"modified":"2024-08-15T09:33:34","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T13:33:34","slug":"ransomware-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.4kcc.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/15\/ransomware-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Ransomware Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ransomware Defined<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The word “ransomware” is a portmanteau<\/a><\/strong> of the words “ransom” and “malware.” (Of course, “malware” is a portmanteau of the words “malicious” and “software.”) In simple terms, ransomware is malicious software that takes over a computer or a network of computers and encrypts the files. Additionally, ransomware may steal files as well. The victim is then offered a “key” to unencrypt their files and get back in operation. If files were stolen, the user may be blackmailed into paying to get them back without them being released. Of course, the “key” is not free. Scammers may want hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars to unlock the files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ransomware Target Has Changed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the very early days of ransomware, hackers targeted people like you and me. The average computer user is a pretty easy target, generally speaking. Some of us will click on any attachments sent in email without thinking! Additionally, many users had adopted the “I’m not doing updates because there’s nothing wrong” attitude. This type of thinking left home and small business computer users as soft targets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though home users are usually easier to hack, very few of us are going to pay $5 million like Colonial Pipeline did<\/a><\/strong>. Hackers\/scammers aren’t dummies. They soon realized that the potential for hauling in big bucks centered on big companies and not the average home user. However, security at large companies has gotten much better so scammers are headed back to home users again. Whatever relief we had from worrying about ransomware is over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Allows Ransomware Infections?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In analyzing ransomware attacks after the fact, companies and home users become victims for the same reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n