RANSOMWARE: WANNACRYPT

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

By now you’ve probably heard that the ransomware attack is holding computer systems hostage worldwide, with increasing cases reported in Australia.

Here are the 3 tips you need to know to avoid becoming a victim:

If you are running older versions of Windows, you could be vulnerable:
- Windows 8
- Windows XP
- Windows Server 2003
To make sure you are protected, please upgrade your computer to the latest version of Windows!

TURN ON WINDOWS UPDATE
We see many people disabling Microsoft’s automatic updates because it can auto install at a time which is inconvenient to you.
To turn on Windows update, head over to the Control Panel and switch your automatic updates back on.

INSTALL A RANSOMWARE BLOCKER
You may have antivirus protection on your computer, and it wont hurt to install a dedicated Ransomware Blocker. Try Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware (in beta) or Cybereason Ransomfree

BACK IT UP!
Back up your computer! Either to an external hard drive or to cloud storage.
If anything happens, you won’t lose your precious information!

Remember, if you receive an email from a scammer, it can look pretty legit. Always look for signs of a scam before you click or open attachments!
If you need a refresher on what to look out for in scams, you can read previous versions of our newsletters here:
Outsmart the Scammers
4 Computer Virus Traps You Need To Look Out For
You Need To Know This To Avoid Being Scammed