Ransomware is nothing new in the computer world but the methods that hackers are using to get it into your computers are constantly evolving. Disguised as a fake Adobe update, Bad Rabbit has been infecting Ukrainian Transportation Services and Russian companies operating in the media fields.
Security professionals have determined that this new virus is capable of reaching other countries including the United States, Japan and Germany, among others. They also go on to warn businesses and residential computer users to never pay the ransom if they end up getting infected because there are other solutions available.
To keep a defense against Bad Rabbit, you can take several steps including the strengthening of login authentication such as activating the 2-step login approval feature available on many services you already use. Ensure you don’t have a simple and easy to guess password. Use a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters plus a few numbers or even symbols as well.
It is also recommended to change them often and definitely never share them in person or digitally, that’s a major no-no. Take care to share as little as possible about yourself online including sensitive personal information. Another commonly overlooked way to keep safe is updating your security software.
Cyber security companies that offer internet security software work endlessly to identify the latest threats and create updates with patches that will keep your software running properly.
It’s up to you to ensure you either turn on automatic updating of your security software or remember to manually do so regularly, no less than monthly is suggested. Lastly, if it looks suspicious: stay away from it! If you’ve already downloaded it, delete it as fast as you can and whatever you do, don’t open it or execute the file in any way. Also keep an eye out for the source code.