A malware is a special software designed to enter an unauthorized computer system to harm it. These malware that demand money after the attack is complete are known as ransomware.
Some ransomwares are able to encrypt all files stored on the hard drive. Usually, the encryption key cannot be cracked without the victim paying the ransom. Some of them use a program to lock the user's system and ask them to pay the ransom through displayed messages.
Typically, virus attacks occur when the user clicks on a spam link, phishing email.
The number of cyberattacks rose to 156 in October from 127 the previous month, according to the Bangladesh E-government Computer Incident Response Team, or CIRT, which manages cyber security on government networks and related infrastructure. Bangladesh recorded as many as 151 cyberattacks in eight months – from January to August.
At least 32.9% of the attacks were designed to steal information. The team classified 18.2% of such incidents as “vulnerable,” meaning that victims could have been harmed. 16.7% of the attacks were classified as malicious code , and 9.6% included abusive content, fraud, information security, intrusion attempts, and availability.
Arif, an employee at Data Recovery Station, said he sees six incidents a day where ransomware destroys a computer's data. Earlier, it was about two incidents a day.
Barkatullah, a member of the CIRT team and director of the Bangladesh Computer Council, shared the steps the government has taken to prevent a ransomware attack. “We have set up IT sensors at important points in the country on behalf of the government and are monitoring the points around the clock.”.
Around 157 cyberattacks in October were thwarted, he said. For example, an attempted attack on Agrani Bank on the day of Durga Puja was thwarted.
