RANSOMWARE - What Is It Good For? Absolutely Nothin'

Anyone that knows me in any depth, knows I have always and continue to fight long and hard against the "global criminal element" that often makes our computing experience a painful and expensive one. Computers, computing devices, and Internet and local network cyber-security is a never-ending, difficult, challenging, and maddening cat-and-mouse game against a global criminal element that has been "allowed" to operate worldwide virtually free from any prosecution for the last 20+ years. During this amount of time, we have witnessed an exponential increase in their ranks - they have upped their game, improved their skill set, and now we really have a big mess on our hands. I wish I had better news to share. On a positive note, perhaps going forward, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning capabilities will assist in defeating and controlling some of these security issues and interfaces in a more robust and efficient manner. Law abiding citizens are finally listening and this should go a long way to help solve the myriad of cybersecurity problems we all face - as computing and network security is everyone's responsibility. Just sayin'. Having dealt directly with ransomware for the past 4-years, there are three (3) simple things to remember. The number one (1) thing is to have a current backup of all your critical data - stored safely out of harm's way. The number two (2) thing is to reread and strictly adhere to the number one (1) thing. The number three (3) thing you need to know about ransomware: You absolutely, positively don't want it. Ever.

Crippled ports. Paralyzed corporations.

https://www.wired.com/story/notpetya-cyberattack-ukraine-russia-code-crashed-the-world/
THE UNTOLD STORY OF NOTPETYA, THE MOST DEVASTATING CYBERATTACK IN HISTORY

Crippled ports. Paralyzed corporations. Frozen government agencies. How a single piece of code crashed the world.

Got Compromised Data?

https://haveibeenpwned.com/
Check if you have an account that has been compromised in a data breach

Hackers Have Ears

https://boingboing.net/2018/08/29/hackers-can-listen-to-smartpho.html

Hackers can listen to smartphone and computer displays to know what content you're consuming

Windows Activator Emerging

https://gbhackers.com/new-ransomware-emerging/
A New Ransomware Attack Posed as Windows Activator Emerging in Wild With Hidden Functions

Zero-Day

https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-zero-day-vulnerability-disclosed-through-twitter/
Microsoft Windows zero-day vulnerability disclosed through Twitter

This Malware Disguises Itself

https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-malware-disguises-itself-as-bank-security-to-raid-your-account/
This malware disguises itself as bank security to raid your account