There are two types of ransomware – lockscreen ransomware and encryption ransomware.
- Lockscreen ransomware shows a full-screen message that prevents you from accessing your PC or files. It says you have to pay money (a “ransom”) to get access to your PC again.
- Encryption ransomware changes your files so you can’t open them. It does this by encrypting the files.
Ransomware can get on your PC from nearly any source that any other malware (including viruses) can come from.
This could be from:
- Visiting unsafe, suspicious, or fake websites.
- Opening emails and email attachments from people you don’t know, or that you weren’t expecting.
- Clicking on malicious or bad links in emails, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media posts, instant messenger chats, like Skype.
It is very difficult to restore your PC after a ransomware attack – especially if it’s infected by encryption ransomware. That’s why the best solution to ransomware is to be safe on the Internet and with emails and online chat:
Don’t click on a link on a webpage, in an email, or in a chat message unless you absolutely trust the page or sender.
If you’re ever unsure – don’t click it!
Often fake emails and webpages have bad spelling, or just look unusual. Look out for strange spellings of company names (like “PayePal” instead of “PayPal”) or unusual spaces, symbols, or punctuation (like “iTunesCustomer Service” instead of “iTunes Customer Service”).