Last week, one of the largest cyber security attacks of recent times affected over 300,000 Windows systems worldwide with WannaCry or WannaCrypt ransomware — a malware which exploits a Windows bug and gains access to the system, locking the crucial files.
WannaCry is Unlikely to Affect Updated Smartphones
There has been increasing fear that Android devices might also be affected by the WannaCry ransomware which is spreading like wildfire but luckily, for now, the malware is only hitting systems on a server and are targeted towards organisations which are more likely to pay than individuals. But nothing can be said for sure regarding the attacker’s intentions, they can choose to target smartphones at any time too. The good news is Google releases security updates for Android devices almost every month — although in certain countries the carriers are responsible for rolling these over to their customers. Even devices running on older Android OS like Kitkat or Marshmallow receive security updates, even if they’re unable to use new features like Google Assistant. Google fixes any new found security vulnerability via these updates and if your device has the latest security update from Google, there is nothing to worry about. Even though Google tries to send updates for most of the Android-powered devices, reportedly , over 100 million devices are still running on outdated security software and can be vulnerable to ransomware attacks.
Precautions to Prevent Ransomware Attack
For the most part of it, Google’s security updates keep your Android devices safe from ransomware and many other kinds of threats but being a bit extra vigilant to keep your device and the data that it holds safe doesn’t really harm.
* Download apps only from trustworthy sources like Google Play store. Many websites which let you download paid apps for free usually supply you with apps containing some kind of adware or malware.
*Ensure that Google’s security system — Verify Apps — which analyses an app before it’s installed onto your device for potential threats is activated. Go to your device settings, find ‘Google’ under Personal or Accounts, tap on ‘Security’ and then ‘Verify Apps’. Activate ‘Scan device for security threats’.
*Check your Android Security updates . Make sure that you’ve the latest security update in order to ensure optimum protection.
*Back up your device either on your computer, a cloud-based service or a portable USB disk. This will ensure that even if you have to reset your device to get rid of the ransomware, you don’t lose any data. This is also useful in case the attacker threatens to delete your data if ransom demands aren’t met.
*Always take some time out to check out the app’s rating and read few reviews before you download and install any app on your device — this also helps in establishing the legitimacy of the app and protect you against dummy apps which try to impersonate the original ones
There are a healthy number of websites and security firms that are trying to inform people regarding the threats of malware and also supplying them with tools to prevent it as well as decrypt the information that has been locked by an attacker
WannaCry is Unlikely to Affect Updated Smartphones
There has been increasing fear that Android devices might also be affected by the WannaCry ransomware which is spreading like wildfire but luckily, for now, the malware is only hitting systems on a server and are targeted towards organisations which are more likely to pay than individuals. But nothing can be said for sure regarding the attacker’s intentions, they can choose to target smartphones at any time too. The good news is Google releases security updates for Android devices almost every month — although in certain countries the carriers are responsible for rolling these over to their customers. Even devices running on older Android OS like Kitkat or Marshmallow receive security updates, even if they’re unable to use new features like Google Assistant. Google fixes any new found security vulnerability via these updates and if your device has the latest security update from Google, there is nothing to worry about. Even though Google tries to send updates for most of the Android-powered devices, reportedly , over 100 million devices are still running on outdated security software and can be vulnerable to ransomware attacks.
Precautions to Prevent Ransomware Attack
For the most part of it, Google’s security updates keep your Android devices safe from ransomware and many other kinds of threats but being a bit extra vigilant to keep your device and the data that it holds safe doesn’t really harm.
* Download apps only from trustworthy sources like Google Play store. Many websites which let you download paid apps for free usually supply you with apps containing some kind of adware or malware.
*Ensure that Google’s security system — Verify Apps — which analyses an app before it’s installed onto your device for potential threats is activated. Go to your device settings, find ‘Google’ under Personal or Accounts, tap on ‘Security’ and then ‘Verify Apps’. Activate ‘Scan device for security threats’.
*Check your Android Security updates . Make sure that you’ve the latest security update in order to ensure optimum protection.
*Back up your device either on your computer, a cloud-based service or a portable USB disk. This will ensure that even if you have to reset your device to get rid of the ransomware, you don’t lose any data. This is also useful in case the attacker threatens to delete your data if ransom demands aren’t met.
*Always take some time out to check out the app’s rating and read few reviews before you download and install any app on your device — this also helps in establishing the legitimacy of the app and protect you against dummy apps which try to impersonate the original ones
There are a healthy number of websites and security firms that are trying to inform people regarding the threats of malware and also supplying them with tools to prevent it as well as decrypt the information that has been locked by an attacker
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