How to Remove Ransomware From My Computer? Antivirus Software

If despite all the precautions taken to avoid it, you have still been infected with ransomware, Panda Security can help you disinfect it and recover all your data. Contact our technical support, they will tell you how to regain control of your computer

The best way to fight ransomware is not to become a victim in the first place.

Best practices are the same rules to follow as to avoid other viruses:

• Keep your operating system up to date to avoid security breaches
• Install a good antivirus and always keep it up to date
• Never open emails or files from unknown senders
• Avoid surfing unsecured pages or reading unverified content
• Always have an up-to-date backup of your data, this is the best way not to lose any information

So here are 5 steps to follow to avoid ransomware attacks.

Step 1: Configure the automatic update of your operating system

The first step in avoiding ransomware is to update your operating system. Anything connected to the web works much better when its operating system is up to date. Technology companies like Microsoft and Apple regularly research and release fixes for "bugs" and security fixes for vulnerabilities in their systems. It's the cat and mouse game when it comes to cybersecurity. Cybercriminals look for "holes" and companies go to great lengths to find them first and fix them.

Users are the key to this game because they are the ultimate guardians of their operating system. If it is not up to date, you cannot take advantage of the latest security fixes. In addition, your computer works better with an updated system.

Configure your operating system to update automatically and you won't have to remember to do it again. While Windows 10 automatically updates (you have no choice), older versions don't. However, it's easy to set up automatic updates whether you're on a Mac or PC.

Step 2: Take screenshots of your bank emails

Cybercriminals use Trojans or worms to infect your computer with ransomware. So avoiding them will help you avoid ransomware. Worms and Trojans are often spread through phishing emails that trick users into opening email attachments containing viruses or clicking on links to fake websites that are considered serious.

One of the best tips for avoiding phishing messages is to learn to recognize them. Hackers send phishing emails that appear to come from banks, credit card companies, or tax. They play on your fears and anxieties by suggesting that there are “issues with your account” or “urgent action is needed”. Who wouldn't be worried reading an email from their bank saying “your account is overdrawn”?

Cybercriminals use this fear to distract people from noticing certain telltale signs of a phishing email, like misspellings or common topics that cause fear.

Take screenshots of all legitimate emails from your bank and other companies handling your sensitive information. Use these screenshots to compare with future emails you receive so you can spot phishing and avoid ransomware.

Step 3: bookmark the websites you visit the most

The next step in your ransomware avoidance process is to bookmark all of the most visited websites. As with phishing emails, cybercriminals build websites that look like bank or credit card websites. Then, they entice users to click on a link and visit them. From there, hackers either steal your login credentials or infect your computer with malware.

Think twice before visiting a website by clicking a link in an email, comments section, or private messaging app. Instead, bookmark your favourite websites and visit them through your browser.

Step 4: Back up your data to the cloud and hard drive

This step is obvious. The ransomware works if you only have one copy of your data. If it is unrecoverable then the hackers have the advantage over you, whereas if you have multiple copies they lose their power over you.

Back up your data to a cloud service and to a hard drive. This way you have a copy available wherever you have internet access and a physically accessible copy at all times. Both of these types of storage are relatively inexpensive and will definitely come in handy if you become a target of ransomware.

After backing up your data, set up a schedule to keep your data up to date. If you haven't backed up your data for six months, you're probably just as vulnerable to ransomware attacks as if you don't have a backup at all.

Step 5: Install an antivirus

Congratulations! You have reached the last step. Ransomware is constantly evolving, as hackers develop new, more dangerous strains. For users, the preventative steps are perfect, but unless you download antivirus software and install comprehensive cybersecurity software, your data remains vulnerable to hackers.

Here's the takeaway: Ransomware is a nightmare.

Once hackers encrypt your data, the chances of recovering it are slim… if not zero. The story of a ransomware attack does not have a happy ending in Hollywood. It will definitely leave you with tears in your eyes ... just for the wrong reasons.