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SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

May 17, 2021

RANSOMEWARE FRAUD 

Courtesy AARP

Ransomware is a particularly devious type of malicious software, or malware used by criminals to lock up your computer with a demand for money.

Once the program installs itself, it will lock up your computer and communicate a money demand. Payment is required as a condition for unlocking your computer.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) logged nearly 2,500 complaints of ransomware attacks against individuals, businesses and organizations in 2020.

 You can inadvertently download ransomware onto your computer or device by clicking on an online ad or email link, opening an attachment or, in some cases, simply going to a website where it has been planted (a form of attack called a drive-by download).

Money demand is usually in a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin, Ethereum or Ripple (although ransomware crooks have been known to demand gift cards).

Be especially vigilant if you own or work for a small business. Fifty-five percent of ransomware attacks in the second quarter of 2020 targeted companies with 100 or fewer employees, according to cybersecurity firm Coveware.  But cybercrooks are increasingly going after bigger fish such as corporations and county or city government systems.

Nasty practice

 Some online scammers have combined ransomware with extortion, employing malware that generates a fake message purportedly from the FBI accusing victims of watching child pornography or downloading illegal files. They freeze computers until they are paid a “fine.”

Warning signs

*An email or instant message that seems phishy. Phishing is the most common method hackers use to spread ransomware, so be wary of messages that appear to come from a trusted source such as a friend or your bank but seem off in some way (for example, the grammar is bad or the sender’s address looks wrong).

*A pop-up on your computer or mobile device warns of viruses, promises a prize or redirects you automatically to another site.

*An email with a Microsoft Word document attached asks you to “enable macros” or “enable content.” Opening the attachment or following the “enable” instructions allows the file to download ransomware or other malicious software onto your computer.

Do’s

Do set your computer operating system, web browser and security software to update automatically so you’re always protected against the latest threats.

Do back up all of your important data. You can do so to a portable drive, but consider also signing up for a cloud-based backup service that automatically backs up your files and saves previous versions so can get them back unencrypted.

Do unplug portable drives from your computer when not in use, to lessen the chances that they, too, will be encrypted in a ransomware attack.

Do use an ad blocker program or browser extension to help protect your device from malware planted in web ads.

Do disconnect an infected computer from your home or office network to prevent ransomware from spreading to other devices.

Don’ts

Don’t click links in emails without first checking them out. Hover your cursor over the link, so you can see if the internet address, or URL, looks suspicious.

Don’t open an email attachment unless you’re expecting a file from someone and you know it’s safe.

Don’t click pop-up ads offering free software products that remove malware from your computer. Some ransomware developers use pop-ups to transfer their programs.

Don’t go to websites that contain pornography, pirated movies or other unsavory stuff. Crooks often plant malware in those places.

Don’t take a chance by paying a ransom to online crooks if your computer is attacked. After receiving the money they may just up the price, then destroy your data or leave it encrypted anyway—or attack a second time

You can call AARP at 1-877-908-3360