17 January 2020

Intego is the only provider on this list that specializes solely in Mac security. The result is a.

Ransomware is one of the most significant threats facing individuals and businesses today!

Just look at some of the stats:

Ransomware is growing at a rate of 350% each year.
Between June 2017 and June 2018, 257 new ransomware families were identified.
In 2018, 204 million ransomware attacks cost businesses more than $8 billion.
In 2018, over 77% of the businesses affected by ransomware were using up-to-date protection.

With ransomware rapidly growing and becoming increasingly sophisticated, Mac ransomware is also on the increase.

Kaspersky for Mac is highly-rated by users and on the more affordable end of the spectrum of paid virus protection for Mac products. It includes both passive and active protection features, as well as.
Airo is a new name in Mac malware protection and focuses on macOS solely.
Defend yourself against the latest virus, malware, ransomware and spyware attacks, while keeping your identity and privacy close and personal.
Protect your Mac from malware. MacOS has many features that help protect your Mac and your personal information from malicious software, or malware. One common way malware is distributed is.

While the majority of ransomware attacks in 2019 were focused on high-value business targets - you could still become a victim.

That's why you need the best ransomware protection for your Mac, along with this two-pronged approach to ensuring the best security:

Proactively protect your Mac
Make sure you can quickly recover if you are a victim.

To begin with, what is ransomware, and how does it infect Mac computers?

What is Ransomware and How Does It Work?

Simply put, ransomware on Mac extorts individuals or businesses for financial gain.

Ransomware is a malware attack where perpetrators threaten to expose your online activity, publish personal data online, or encrypt files and deny access unless you pay a ransom.

Your files - or entire device - is held hostage until you pay the ransom and receive a decryption key.

Like other forms of malware, extortionists push ransomware to individual computers through:

Compromised vendors
Malicious online advertising
Phishing emails
free. software downloads
Social media attachments
Unpatched programs

Ransomware can quickly spread across a network, encrypting mapped and unmapped network drives. The result is one infected user bringing an entire organization to a halt, with massive implications depending on the type of organization attacked.

How Much Do They Want?

Ransoms start around $300-$500 for individuals, but amounts of $50,000-$400,000 - or more - are typical for businesses who have more to lose. Because of the impact on their services and clients, healthcare institutions are often targeted by ransomware.

What Should You Do?

Designed to prey on your fears, ransomware perpetrators want you to panic and pay the ransom before you've stopped and thought things through. That's why it's essential to follow these steps carefully:

Stop
Breathe
Stay calm
Don't panic
Think

Can Macs be Infected with Ransomware?

Yes.

While it's true that Mac computers are less likely to be attacked than Windows PCs, they are not any more resistant to malware attacks. In fact, the threat of Mac malware increased by 60% in just the last quarter of 2018.

While adware is the most popular form of malware, ransomware is the most stressful and frustrating once it's infected your Mac. That's why you need an excellent anti-ransomware for Mac strategy.

What are the Most Common Mac Ransomware?

Although relatively few compared to Windows, there have been several examples of ransomware affecting Macs, along with their derivatives which continue to appear in various forms. These include:

FBI/MoneyPak scam (2013): Targeting Mac's Safari browser, a fake FBI web page appeared, locking the user out of the Mac until a $300 fine was paid. If the user force-quit Safari, the ransomware would simply reload itself the next time Safari was launched.
FileCoder (June 2014): Although FileCoder displays a window demanding a ransom, it does not actually encrypt files and is, therefore, relatively harmless.
KeRanger (March 2016): Hidden within an authorized update of the Transmission BitTorrent client and signed with an authorized security certificate, KeRanger isn't blocked by macOS Gatekeeper. It encrypts files and demands one BitCoin as a ransom. According to Macworld, “KeRanger appears to be still under active development,” and is, therefore, still an active threat.
Filezip, aka Patcher (February 2017): Impersonating a patcher app (an app that provides access to commercial software without the user purchasing a license), Filezip encrypted the user's files and demanded a ransom of 0.25 BitCoin. The data could not be decrypted by Filezip, so paying the ransom was pointless.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): Sold on the dark web, RaaS is a subscription-based or profit-sharing service that allows a cybercriminal to launch a ransomware attack quickly with little effort or experience.

While cybercriminals will continue to create and launch new forms of ransomware, it’s comforting to know that scary Windows ransomware like WannaCry cannot infect your Mac.

How Do I Know if My Mac is Infected with Ransomware?

That's easy!

A screen will pop up on your Mac, announcing that your files are being held hostage until you pay a ransom. The display will state how much you need to pay, methods of payment, and by when the ransom be paid. It may also say what will happen if you do not pay within the required time.

What Do I Do if My Mac is Infected with Ransomware?

First of all, stay calm and don't panic.

Don't be in a rush to pay the ransom until you've thought things through and done your research, including rereading this article and contacting MacUpdate Support. We’ll do our best to help resolve the situation and recover your data.

Forums that you may want to visit should include the following:

Once that's done, follow these steps:

Isolate the infected device: Disconnect all infected machines from the network, irrespective of the operating system, to keep the ransomware from spreading. At the same time, disconnect all other devices from your network, including:
- Cloud storage
- External hard drives
- Shared network drives
- USB drives
Identify the ransomware: Knowing the strain of ransomware infecting your computer makes it easier for you to find a solution. The ransomware could be one of the following general variants:
- Doxware: Threatening to reveal or sell sensitive personal information unless you pay a ransom, doxing entails sending an email rather than locking your files. You can use Avast Hack Check to see if your passwords have been leaked or stolen.
- Filecoders: Demanding a ransom before a specific time, filecoders like KeRanger or MacRansom - a RaaS - encrypts files and promises to destroy, damage, or permanently lock your data unless you pay. About 90% of ransomware are filecoders.
- Scareware: Attempting to scare you into paying for a fake Mac malware cleaning tool you don't need, scareware uses bogus web pages, pop-up ads, or scanning applications with counterfeit results. As long as you don't click on anything, this is the easiest type of ransomware to remove.
- Lockers: Locking your screen and preventing you from accessing your Mac until you pay the ransom, the most common type of screenlocker is the FBI/MoneyPak scam.
To identify the type of ransomware and download a decryption solution, visit Crypto Sheriff provided by Europol's European Cybercrime Center. If the tool recognizes the ransomware based on your input or file upload, it provides a link to the decryption program.
Remove the ransomware: Once you

Best Virus Protection For Mac Yosemite