WannaCry: Ransomware & How To Protect Yourself

This entry was posted in How-To’s News and tagged Computer Virus How-To Ransomware on by
This is a snap shot of it's main screen

WannaCry Ransomware

There is an answer to “WannaCry”: A crippling Ransomware computer virus that invaded computer systems around the globe and set off a world wide panic!

This is a scary one, but it doesn’t need to be!  If you are prepared, you have nothing to fear in this virus!  To start with this attack only affects the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Mac users and Linux users and enjoy a moment a peace on this one, but be aware, Virus writers still target your systems too.

So,  How do you get this one?

Well the answer is pretty simple. Like previous ransomware, the attack spreads by phishing emails. (Phishing scams are typically fraudulent email messages appearing to come from legitimate enterprises e.g., your university, your Internet service provider, your bank. These messages usually direct you to a spoofed website or otherwise get you to divulge private information!)

8 Easy Steps to Protect Yourself

Currently, there is no WannaCry decryption tool or any other solution available.
Users are strongly advised to follow prevention measures in order to protect themselves.
  • Keep your system Up-to-date: First of all, if you are using supported, but older versions of Windows operating system, keep your system up to date, or simply upgrade your system to Windows 10.
    This whole problem can be shot down by applying the “critical” patch had been issued by Microsoft on 14 March 2017 to remove the underlying vulnerability for supported systems
  • Using Unsupported Windows OS? If you are using unsupported versions of Windows, including Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003 or 2008, apply the emergency patch released by Microsoft today.
  • Enable Firewall: Enable firewall. If it is already there, modify your firewall configurations. Block access to SMB ports over the network or the Internet. The protocol operates on TCP ports 137, 139, and 445, and over UDP ports 137 and 138.
  • Disable SMB: Follow steps described by Microsoft to disable Server Message Block (SMB).
  • Keep your Antivirus software up-to-date: Virus definitions have already been updated to protect against this latest threat.
  • Backup Regularly: A favorite of the Northwoods Computer Guy is Carbonite To always have a tight grip on all your important files and documents, keep a good backup routine in place that makes their copies to an external storage device that is not always connected to your PC.
  • Beware of Phishing:  Any uninvited documents sent via email should be treated with extreme care. You should be always be suspicious of them and never click on links inside those documents unless verifying the source.
  • Visit Your Computer Guy:  If you feel like this is all a little too much call your Computer Guy! Even if it is not me.  Keeping your PC safe should be your Computer Techs main goal.