WannaCry is far from the only ransomware program you should be wary of, but it’s the biggest threat right now, and protecting yourself is the highest priority.

If you’ve been out of the tech loop for the past week, you should know that there’s a big new ransomware in town called WannaCry.  Ransomware is exactly what it sounds like; a type of malware that holds your computer’s functions captive until you follow the commands on the screen.  These commands usually involve paying some sort of fee.  WannaCry is far from the only ransomware program you should be wary of, but it’s the biggest threat right now, and protecting yourself is the highest priority.  Here is a little more information on WannaCry, and info on how you can hold your own against it.

What is WannaCry?

In 150 countries, over 200,000 victims fell prey to this ransomware.  Its maker created a kind of software that acted as a worm, meaning it spread quickly and automatically across many computers.  But it didn’t just attack personal computers–it also went after hospitals, schools, and factories.  The ransomware itself is asking for anywhere between $300-$600, but officials say there have been few actual payments, meaning most people recognize WannaCry for what it is.  Still, even if no money is being transferred, hundreds of thousands of computers are at great risk.  And, the number keeps growing.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Personal and Small Businesses

Anyone using a Windows operating system is at risk.  The malware itself was exploiting a security flaw that the NSA had been using earlier this year; when leaked, hackers took that information for themselves.  So, if you’re worried about your personal computer or small business, you should go about your standard protection procedure.  Update Windows for the latest software, ensure that your antivirus program is up and running, and backup important data somewhere safe, such as the cloud.  Exercise caution.  Don’t click on any unknown links, and make sure you’re surfing the web safely.

Large Businesses

For large businesses, the security tactics are similar, if not a bit more expansive.  Update Windows with all the latest patches to ensure you’re up-to-date with their security fixes.  Scan ingoing and outgoing emails for malware with an antivirus program.  Once a year, perform penetration tests on your network to see how secure it really is.  And, finally, educate your employees on the correct way to surf the web without putting their computers at risk.

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