The cyber threat

IT is the ultimate enemy. It has no identity, no empathy, and no respecter of class, creed, or colour. It is the ransomware cyber attack.

This message is flashed on a computer: ‘If you see this text, then your files are no longer accessible, because they are encrypted. Perhaps you are busy looking for a way to recover your files, but don’t waste your time. Nobody can recover your files without our decryption service.’

You’ve been cyborged by an invader virus from cyberspace. Resistance is futile.

Once the malware infects the computer, it will wait for an hour or so, and then reboot the system. After the rebooting, the files are encrypted and a user gets a ransom note on their PC asking them to pay up.

Users are also warned against switching off their PC during the rebooting process, because it could make them lose their files.

Prevention is better then cure. Back up all your files, including documents, photos and videos.

The best way to do so is to backup all the data in an external hard drive that isn’t connected to an internet. Also, do a cloud-based back-up, and make sure the password for this account is a strong one. Keep two-step verification on for whatever cloud service you are using.

This will ensure that even if your machine is affected by a ransomware, you won’t lose your important data.

Anti-virus software can stop the ransomware being downloaded into your PC.

The most basic malware gets filtered out using an anti-virus program.

If you are already using antivirus software on the computer, make sure it is up to date. And install regular Windows updates.

Stop the Borg before it contaminates your PC. ANTHONY WOODS,

Ennis, Co. Clare.