What Is Ransomware and How to Prevent It?

Bittime - Ransomware virus is spreading rapidly to various countries, including Indonesia. As a form of malware, ransomware can damage all system files on computers using the Windows Operating System. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (KOMINFO) has warned the public to immediately take precautions, especially against ransomware types such as Wannacry.

Impact of Ransomware Attacks in Indonesia

In Indonesia, ransomware has attacked various hospitals. The way this virus works is by infiltrating Windows system files, duplicating itself, and encrypting all files in minutes or seconds. 

After locking the files, the ransomware will display a message demanding a ransom in Bitcoin to unlock the encrypted files. If the ransom is not paid within the specified time, there is a possibility that all data will be lost.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or data on a device, making them unreadable. To access the encrypted files again, users must pay a ransom to get the encryption code.

The Impact of Ransomware Attacks on Business

1. Disruption of Business Activities : A ransomware attack can disrupt business operations. Customers may be unable to access websites or applications, and workers may be unable to access critical files, which can disrupt business activities for 15 to 20 days.
2. Damage to Company Reputation : These attacks can also damage a company’s reputation, as they show that the company’s security systems are not secure. This can reduce customer trust and have a negative impact on business.
3. Data Leaks : Attackers often threaten to delete or leak data if the ransom is not paid. This can have further impacts on a company’s reputation and finances.
4. Financial Losses : The National Cyber ​​and Crypto Agency (BSSN) noted that the potential losses from ransomware attacks in Indonesia reached around 14.2 trillion rupiah, with 22% of private companies having become victims. The average ransom demanded in 2022 was around 31 billion rupiah.

Check Crypto Market Today:

Ransomware Prevention Steps

The steps may sound difficult or unfamiliar. It is a good idea if you work in an organization or are responsible for a company's cybersecurity to communicate with the relevant parties in trying to do the prevention below.

1. SMB Server Update : Routinely perform maintenance and updates on the SMB Server to close security gaps.
2. Disable SMB Feature If Not Used : If this feature is not needed, it is better to disable it to prevent virus infiltration.
3. Block Port 139/445 & 3389 with Firewall : If not needed, block these ports to prevent virus access through the network.
4. Isolate IIS Web Server from Other Networks : To prevent the spread of viruses, make sure this server is separated from computers or servers that contain important data.
5. Always Update Antivirus : Make sure your antivirus is always updated to recognize and stop new virus threats.
6. Enable Password Protected Sharing : Use this feature to protect files shared on the network.
7. Be Careful When Downloading and Installing Files : Make sure the downloaded files come from trusted sources and are virus-free.
8. Check Emails Carefully : Check the sender's email address and avoid suspicious emails.
9. Disable Hardware Autoplay : To prevent the spread of viruses from external storage devices, disable the autoplay feature.
10. Use Cloud Backup : Backing up data to the cloud is the best way to protect data from ransomware attacks.

The Importance of Prevention

Prevention is better than cure, especially in the case of ransomware. Taking proactive steps to protect your systems and data is key to avoiding major losses.

How To Buy Crypto With Bittime

You can buy and sell crypto assets easily and safely through Bittime. Bittime is one of the best crypto applications in Indonesia that has been officially registered with Bappebti. 

To be able to buy crypto assets on Bittime, make sure you have registered and completed identity verification. Apart from that, also make sure that you have sufficient balance by depositing some funds into your wallet. For your information, the minimum purchase of assets on Bittime is IDR 10,000. After that, you can purchase crypto assets in the application. 

Monitor the price chart movements of Bitcoin (BTC) , Ethereum (ETH) , Solana (SOL) and other cryptos to find out today's crypto market trends in real-time on Bittime.