Ransomware Attacks Are On The Rise

Ransomware attacks are on the rise

One of the latest ploys cybercrooks are using is to lock up your computer, or the files on it, and demand payment to re-enable access.

Via links in emails or website scams, the crooks trick computer users to install software that encrypts all or parts of a computer's files. The only way to decrypt is to pay a ransom demanded by the perpetrators.  

This is happening not only on home computers but also on government and business systems. Recently Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center was subjected to this scheme. The hospital said it paid a $17,000 ransom in bitcoin to the hacker who seized control of the hospital's computer systems. Apparently it was worth it to regain access to the data asap instead of struggling to restore it.

The most important defensive tactic against ransomware attacks is to be very, very careful which emails you open, links you click, sites you visit. Even so, we are not perfect.  

So the next best thing is to use an online data backup service, like Mozy.com. Online backup enables you to restore files if you are hacked by ransomware. Worst case, after an attack, you can have a computer tech erase your computer’s hard drive and reload software, then restore the backed up files. Or you can buy a new computer.

Either approach can be cheaper than the ransom requested. And you avoid dealing with the ransomware jerks at all, effectively not supporting their vile business model. That’s cold comfort, but any comfort counts when we’re victimized by criminals.

If you'd like to read more about this, here's a story in the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/local/crime/la-me-malware-ransom-20160220-story.html

And here's another story about two more hospital ransomware victims, these in Germany:

http://www.scmagazine.com/ransomware-holds-data-hostage-in-two-german-hospitals/article/479835/

If you like to beta test software, click here to install an anti-ransomware software program I'm trying out. It's made by Malwarebytes, whose anti-malware program, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, I recommend.

A REMINDER...

If you ever suspect your computer is infected by ANY malicious software, unplug if from the Internet immediately and request trusted tech support. The longer the exploit goes on, the more damage the hackers can cause.

Please feel free to forward this tip to friends, family, colleagues, and others.  

If you haven't already, you can subscribe to our email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send.

Thanks for reading, 

Sam

Update or Remove Java - the Only Safe Options

Update or Remove Java - the Only Safe Options 

Oracle has released security updates to address vulnerability in Java SE versions 6, 7, and 8 for Windows. 

Exploitation of this vulnerability may allow a remote attacker to take control of an affected system.

Before worrying about an update, however, consider this: If you don't need Java, you can uninstall it. Usually you would only need it for a gaming program or online database that requires Java. 

If you determine you don't need it, open the Control Panel, then Programs and Features, then locate all versions of Java on the list; uninstall each. Then close all open programs and reboot your computer. 

If you do need Java, you should only need the most current version, unless otherwise indicated by your specific software program that requires it. You can remove all unneeded versions as explained above. 

To check if Java is up to date on your system, visit the site below with Internet Explorer or Firefox, and then click the button: Verify Java version. Follow whatever prompts you receive. (The 32-bit Windows online version is fine for most applications. I recommend to not concurrently install third-party applications offered like Yahoo, McAfee etc.)

http://java.com/en/download/installed8.jsp

If you're curious to learn about Java, check this link:

http://java.com/en/download/faq/whatis_java.xml

This may all seem a bit of a hassle, but if you want to keep your computer as secure as possible, either remove Java or keep it updated. This pretty much applies to every program on your computer, whether Windows or Mac, smartphones, tablets, etc.

A good rule of thumb proposed by Brian Krebs, author of the book Spam Nation, is this: 1)If you didn’t go looking for it [software available online for download], don’t install it; 2)if you do want it, keep it updated; 3)if you no longer want it, remove it.

Please feel free to forward this tip to friends, family, colleagues, and others.  

If you haven't already, you can subscribe to our email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send.

Thanks for reading, 

Sam