Cyber security experts have warned Internet users about ‘Ransomware’, a special kind of malware that is doing the rounds these days and can sneak in and gain access to important files in a computer. Once in control, the malware, rather audaciously, demands ‘ransom’ from the users to allow them to use their own files in their computers.
Before allowing the user to access important files, the ‘ransom’ amount goes to the creator of the malware. Essentially, cyber experts pointed out that ‘Ransomware’ is a Trojan, a harmless looking email or an attachment that usually tricks users into installing them. By the time the users realise their folly, the Trojan starts its work that includes deleting, blocking or even modifying user data.
“These days, cyber criminals are becoming smarter and are using sophisticated attacks in the form of ‘Ransomware’, which have the potential to fetch them more money. Individual users and even companies should be wary of such malware attacks, which cause a lot of damage if opened unwittingly,” said convenor, CII, AP ICT panel and VP, Head of Hyderabad Wipro, R. Srinivas Rao, at the CII conference on cyber security.
Cyber security experts pointed out that in the last one year, several cyber security agencies including Symantec regarded India as the ‘Ransomware’ capital in the Asia pacific region. Security specialists said that with a large number of mobile phone users, India is susceptible to such attacks by cyber criminals.
“Smartphone users too in Hyderabad and elsewhere in the country have risky habits. They tend to share their passwords, log into their bank accounts through open Wi-Fi systems, visit risky websites and tend to download a lot of pirated software. That’s why, internet users, especially mobile users are susceptible to attacks,” experts said.
