You think you’re downloading an update for Windows 10, until your device freezes and messages appear that you have to pay a ransom. According to the researchers, this type of ransomware, also known as ransomware, appears to have increased exponentially recently and is said to primarily target “regular” consumers.
Technology website BleepingComputer makes Ransomware Notification† Researchers report that there has been a large campaign launched since April in which Windows users silently download ransomware, while thinking they are installing (security) updates.
The form of the ransomware is called “Magniber” and is now “widely spread all over the world”.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware (or: ransomware) is deceptive software that allows cybercriminals to remotely lock your device. You will no longer be able to use your device or, say, important files, until you pay the ransom.
What exactly does “Magniber” do?
Thus, the ransomware reaches your device via rogue Windows Updates. It’s not entirely clear how exactly this is done, although BleepingComputer suspects that these are websites promoting updates and thus pretending to be reliable. After all, you’re downloading a real Windows update within your device’s settings, not on a random website.
Once the Update is installed, the device will be locked and the files will be encrypted. Also in each folder there will be notes called README.html With instructions on how to pay the ransom, BleepingComputer wrote. The images below show the messages from the ransomware.
This is a permanent form of ransomware and almost impossible to circumvent. Victims have to pay around $2,500 or 0.068 Bitcoin. Even more surprising is that, according to the researchers, it appears that criminals mainly target consumers and students. Ransomware often targets large companies, for example, but that’s different in this case.
Never download updates outside of your Windows system
Once on your device, the ransomware remains persistent, but you can be sure that it is never installed. Updates for your Windows PC can be downloaded from within the system in Settings. If some random website gave you an update that you weren’t looking for, it should ring a bell.
You can read on the Windows website How to install the update†
