What is the most deadly computer virus?
As of early 2019, the most dangerous and destructive computer virus is widely considered to be WannaCry. This malware was responsible for a worldwide ransomware attack in May of 2017 that caused an estimated $4 billion in damage. WannaCry encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom be paid in Bitcoin in order to decrypt them. The attack affected more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries, with particularly damaging effects in the United Kingdom where it crippled the National Health Service.
WannaCry is a type of malware known as ransomware, which is a fast-growing and particularly worrisome form of malware. In 2016, ransomware became the most common type of malware, accounting for 38% of all malware attacks. This is a significant increase from 2015, when ransomware only accounted for 4% of malware attacks. And the trend seems to be continuing, with627% growth in ransomware attacks from 2016 to 2017.
What makes ransomware so dangerous is that it can spread quickly and easily, and can cause a great deal of damage. Once a system is infected, the ransomware will begin to encrypt files and render them inaccessible. The only way to get the files back is to pay the ransom, which is often demanded in Bitcoin. The problem is that there is no guarantee that the attacker will actually provide the decryption key once the ransom is paid. In fact, there have been several instances where victims have paid the ransom but still not regained access to their files.
So, what can you do to protect yourself from ransomware? First, it’s important to have a good backup strategy in place. This way, even if your files are encrypted, you will still have a copy that you can access. Second, keep your software up to date. Many ransomware attacks exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. And finally, be careful about the emails you open and the links you click. Many ransomware attacks are spread via phishing emails that trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link or opening an attachment.
While WannaCry is currently the most dangerous computer virus, it’s important to remember that new viruses are constantly emerging. So it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your data.
What are the most common ways people contract computer viruses?
There are many ways that people can contract computer viruses, but some of the most common include downloading infected files, opening infected email attachments, and visiting infected websites. Additionally, people can also contract viruses by connecting to an infected network or storage device, or by installing infected software. While there are many ways to contract a virus, there are also ways to protect yourself, such as keeping your software up-to-date, using antivirus software, and being cautious when opening email attachments or downloading files.
Visit malwarezero.org to learn more about most deadly computer virus. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.