Cyber Crimes are all over the internet. These crimes can be more dangerous than the usual robbers, as they can put to threat some of the most important items in your computers, phones or laptops. Ransom ware is also a form of extortion where hackers can control your computer and put in danger all the files and information in it. The only way to stop the attackers from doing this is by paying him/her a ransom.
Engin Kirda and Guevara Noubir, cyber security experts and professors at Northeastern University were interviewed and asked about the increasing threat of ransom ware. According to Noubir, ransom ware has become a famous mechanism of extorting money since the year 1990. The creation of anonymous networks and crypto currencies are one of the reasons which increase these crimes. And due to the increase, there is also an implementation of traditional security measures that protect online platforms and sites.
Talking about the victims that are targeted, they seem similar to the victims of any other malware. Though attacks were primarily launched in companies and organisations, now we observe that digital currencies are also a part of it. Also, ransom attacks can be random unless the attacker plans to launch an attack on a large scale which involves exploring and knowing the system beforehand.
To avoid ransom ware attacks, the users need to follow certain steps like protecting your data. Forming remote backups in case you lose your information which can help you avoid the payment of huge ransoms. Another way is by avoiding the use of suspicious sites and URLs which increase the possibility of such attacks. It is only by taking these measures that the users can ensure the full protection of their data and information.
The final question posed to both Kirda and Noubir was about bitcoins and why ransom demands are typically made in them. To this, they answered that Bitcoins are difficult to trace and they tend to go ignored during online services making the crime swift without suspicion.
Akshara Palshetkar