What is ransomware?
Ransomware is malware that can lock a device or encrypt its contents in order to extort money from the owner in return for restoring access to those resources. This kind of malware can also have a built-in timer with a payment deadline that must be met. In this case, the price for unlocking the data and hardware will increase with time, and the information and the device will ultimately be rendered permanently inaccessible if payment isn’t made.
Among the well-known examples of ransomware affecting desktop computers are Reveton, CryptoLocker, CryptoWall and TeslaCrypt. Those affecting mobile platforms include Simplocker and LockerPin.
Why you need ransomware protection
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice revealed that the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) had received nearly 7,700 public complaints regarding ransomware since 2005, totaling $57.6 million in damages. Those damages include ransoms paid—generally $200 to $10,000, according to the FBI—as well as costs incurred in dealing with the attack and estimated value of data lost. In 2015 alone, victims paid over $24 million across nearly 2,500 cases reported to the IC3.
How ESET protects against ransomware
Filter unwanted emails
ESET's anti-spam blocks emails containing links to fake websites designed to steal your information.
Exploit blockerBayesian filtering
Monitors typically exploitable applications (browsers, document readers, email clients, Flash, Java, and more).
Advanced Memory Scanner
Monitors the behavior of a malicious process and scans it once it decloaks in memory.
