The activity of mobile ransomware has spiked significantly over a period of time, even though the percentage of mobile ransomware is still less than the users attacked by PC ransomware but still it has started a worrying trend.
Now the question arises that what is ransomware?
It is a type of malware that encrypts the data or lock the device and then demands a ransom for unlocking the device or decrypting the data
Factors contributing tothe increase ofthe activity of ransomware:
- People agreeing to pay the ransom
- It’s all about the worth of the information saved in the digital device, the more confidential it is the more people end up paying a ransom.
- Extortionists are using new payment tools for collecting ransoms.
- Law enforcements are not able to do much.
How it does work?
Social engineering tactics are being used where people aretricked into downloading a content, victims may think that they are downloading antivirus software or some innocent content but in reality,they are downloading ransomware. Once downloaded, victim gets a pop up message accusing him of illegal activities, like downloading illegal porn or accessing some illegal sites, after this pop up message, ransomware locks the device or encrypt the data and asks for the ransom for unlocking thedevice, once the payment is made, mostly through bitcoins the ransomware contacts command and control server and sends victim, the unlocking and decryption key.
Safety measures have been implemented by the enterprises to increase the difficulty level such attacks by implementing proper segment networks and access controls and by having backup and recovery strategies.
