What is ransomware?


Ransomware is a harmful malware infection that encrypts the files of the infected user and renders them inaccessible. Threat actors created it to take advantage of flaws in victims’ computers and request ransom money in exchange for the recovery and decryption of the data they encrypt.

Since so many people have essential documents and files on their devices, those infected with ransomware are compelled to pay the ransom requested by cybercriminals in exchange for their data.

How does ransomware work?

Ransomware works in three phases, the initial phase wherein you downloaded the malicious executable file containing the ransomware and run it on your computer which begins the initiation of the second phase.

This is where your files are being searched in every directory of the computer for the ransomware to encrypt which then leads to the aftermath of the ransomware process.

Wherein new files can additionally be encrypted as well and they can also drop other types of malware alongside the ransomware.

Initial phase

Almost every other sort of computer virus enters a device in the same way. They only remain dormant until the file that contains the malware is executed.

One of the most notable methods of how ransomware gets downloaded on the computer is through drive-by downloads, which occur when a user visits an infected website that has been infected with a malicious script that causes a random piece of malware to be downloaded.

Torrent files are also one of the most common ways to acquire this threat, as they are utilized by millions of pirates around the world to download pirated movies and music, as well as cracked versions of premium software. Since then, cybercriminals have spread their malicious software through the torrent community.

Once the malware has been downloaded and accidentally launched by the computer user, the whole process will then begin to execute.

Infection phase

Different ransomware variants each have their methods for configuring the computer, but practically all ransomware will disable the antivirus software so it could carry out its operations without having to worry about the computer’s security.

In short, it will make the system completely vulnerable to any type of malware and cyber criminals have a very good advantage to a computer without even the slightest protection.

Ransomware will also make changes to the computer’s system such as the host file and the registry files. It takes advantage of adding registry entries to Windows system locations so that the malware will persist even after a reset of the computer.

After these actions, the ransomware virus will now scan the computer system for valuable files such as videos and documents. Some of the files that are typically encrypted are financial documents, business papers, and important family pictures.

After scanning the system for files, it will then encrypt the files to make them useless and unable to be opened. When you are infected with ransomware, your files may suddenly have an additional extension such as .locked, .encrypted, etc. For example, if a file was named Document.pdf, after the encryption, it will now be known as Document.pdf.locked and it will never be opened ever again.

Once the encryption of files is finished, the ransomware will leave behind a ransom note stating that it demands money in Bitcoin for the decryption of the files. The ransom note will eventually be left on the desktop and will have names such as readme.txt, read_me.html, and the like.

Post-infection phase

After the ransomware has finished encrypting the file and dropping the ransom note on the desktop. Any of the new files you create or download to the computer may be encrypted as well since you have not removed the virus from the computer yet.

In addition to that, additional malware installation is possible since ransomware can also be used as a downloader or dropper so that cybercriminals can take advantage of the computer much more rather than simply encrypting the files.

They may install harmful stealers and keyloggers that can monitor the user’s behavior and eventually capture sensitive data and login information.

Ransomware note

A ransom note will be in the computer after the file encryption is finished, this will also show which ransomware has infected your system, it will also add a Bitcoin wallet to send the money to for them to give you the decryption software for you to be able to decrypt your file.

The use of crypto payments is commonly used by malware operators to prevent being tracked by the government.

One example of a ransom note is from the STOP DJVU ransomware, they leave a link for a demonstration of the file decryption and will give you the chance of decrypting 1 sample file for free as proof that their decryption tool is working. (MIQE ransom note is as shown below)

Image of Example Ransom Note

ATTENTION!

Don’t worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like pictures, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
hxxps://we.tl/t-6Ti2DxXR3I
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that’s price for you is $490.
Please note that you’ll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail “Spam” or “Junk” folder if you don’t get answer more than 6 hours.

To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
manager@time2mail.ch

Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
supportsys@airmail.cc

Your personal ID:
*********************************

Another ransomware note is from WannaCry ransomware, which is a famous ransomware that has infected many people with the .wncry extension.

Image of the WannaCry Ransomware Note
WannaCry Ransomware Message

As seen in the image above, the WannyCry ransomware presents a unique ransom note that appears in the application form and outlines what needs to be done along with a countdown after which the ransom will be demanded.

Additionally, there is a countdown until your files are erased. They encourage users to send an exact amount of $300 in Bitcoin to the specified address.

Notable Ransomware Families

There are some malware families and groups that stand out in the field of ransomware and infect millions of users every day with their cutting-edge encryption technologies.

Here are some of the most well-known ransomware organizations that have been infecting users ever since and still do today.

Phobos Ransomware

Phobos ransomware was first identified in December 2018 and it was widely known to have been targetting small businesses.

Unlike other ransomware groups that target big companies for larger payouts, the cybercriminals behind the Phobos ransomware target the opposite.

Image of Phobos Ransomware Note
Phobos Ransomware Note

Consequently, the typical ransom demand for a Phobos attack is $18,755 since the ones they target do not have much capital to pay a big amount of money.

Some of the ransomware extensions that were used by Phobos are .steel and .fopra, which people and businesses alike are still getting infected today.

MedusaLocker Ransomware

In September 2019, the MedusaLocker ransomware was discovered for the first time. Since then, MedusaLocker has infected and encrypted systems in a variety of industries, primarily the healthcare industry.

Image of MedusaLocker Ransom Note
MedusaLocker Ransom Note

Users as well as organizations have been affected by the aforementioned ransomware, which they may have downloaded from unscrupulous and dubious sources.

One of the known variants of the MedusaLocker we have covered on our website appends the .allock extension to the infected computer.

Petya and NotPetya Ransomware

Petya ransomware encrypts data on the computer system, then asks for a ransom in exchange for the key to unlock them.

It is quite similar to most ransomware however, Petya can lock up your entire hard drive, preventing your computer from booting at all, whereas many other ransomware strains target private files like documents or images.

Image of Petya Ransomware Boot Message
Petya Ransomware Boot Message

Beginning in early 2016, Petya spread through phishing emails. The attachment would install malware on the victim’s PC after being downloaded and opened.

Before expanding to Europe and the US in 2017, the latest variation of Petya, known as NotPetya, ravaged Ukrainian institutions like the National Bank of Ukraine where over $10 billion in losses were brought.

Sodinokibi Ransomware

REvil/Sodinokibi ransomware, also known as Sodin, was first identified in April 2019. After infecting a machine, this virus encrypts files and cunningly deletes the message containing the ransom demand, keeping the user in the dark about what has transpired.

A message requesting a Bitcoin ransom to unlock the victim’s files is sent to them after the encryption process is finished. The cybercriminals put the victim under more strain by threatening to double the demand if the ransom is not paid right away.

Image of Sodinobiki Ransomware
Sodinobiki Ransomware Message

Since it can evade common security measures and enter computers secretly, REvil/Sodinokibi ransomware is risky. Cybercriminals favor it because of its quiet approach, which makes it difficult to detect and prevent.

Newly Found Ransomware Threats

As you can see from the list below, which we have been periodically updating, we have also been investigating and monitoring new ransomware and variations of already-known file locker viruses.

Recently Found Ransomware Threats
Discovered in July 17, 2023 by Millan Nava
Discovered in July 10, 2023 by Millan Nava
Discovered in May 12, 2023 by Millan Nava
Discovered in May 2, 2023 by Millan Nava
Discovered in September 30, 2022 by Millan Nava
Discovered in September 30, 2022 by Millan Nava

Given how frequently new ransomware is appearing out of nowhere, users should be cautious when downloading from unreliable sources as doing so could result in the loss of files.

How to Remove Ransomware From PC

This procedure will assist you in removing ransomware from your computer. You can rest assured that the information provided below has been tried and tested.

We have provided simple step-by-step instructions for removing the ransomware problem from your system.

Step 1: Scan with powerful malware removal software

For these virus threats, we recommend running a full system malware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This program is widely known and recognized by security experts when it comes to removing viruses from the system.

Remove malware with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

We have also been using this software on our systems ever since, and it has always been successful in detecting viruses. It has blocked many known computer threats as shown from our tests with the software, and we assure you that it can remove every malware hiding on your computer.

Image of Malwarebytes Home screenNot to mention, it is free to use and does not come at any cost to remove the viruses it finds on your computer.

To use Malwarebytes and remove malicious threats from the computer, follow the steps below:

1. Download Malwarebytes by clicking the button below, as we have made an additional and in-depth tutorial on how to use it. Otherwise, you may go to their official website via Malwarebytes.com (Avoid misspelling as it may lead to scams).

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

2. Visit their download section and start a Free Download to begin installing the software on your computer.Image of Malwarebytes Thanks for downloading Webpage3. Once the Malwarebytes setup file (MBsetup.exe) has finished downloading, open the executable file in File Explorer, then right-click the setup and select run as administrator to give the highest system authority and make sure Malwarebytes is installed correctly.Malwarebytes Install File4. Make sure to carefully follow the installation setup wizard’s instructions and provide the relevant information it requires. You will be prompted with questions such as Personal or Business Use, Email Address, and others.Image of Malwarebytes Asking For Email Before Proceeding5. From the application’s home screen, go to the scan tab and begin running a system scan. This will scan the whole computer, including memory, startup items, the registry, and the file system.Malwarebytes Scanning6. Since it can take a while, you should either relax and wait for it to finish or find something else to do. The length of the scan depends on the size of the files you have and the hardware capabilities of your computer. Here are some ways to make scanning faster.

7. Once the scan is finished, Malwarebytes will show the malicious viruses and threats it found on your PC. Every malware will show up on the detection results, and it will show up in a threat name such as PUP.Optional.OpenCandy, and many more.Image of Malwarebytes Detection Results8. Select all the detected files from the report and click the quarantine button to remove the malicious items from the computer into the protected safe quarantine zone of the anti-malware program so that they would not affect and do malicious actions to the PC again.Image of Malwarebytes Threat Quarantined9. After placing the virus files in the program’s quarantine, it may prompt you to restart the computer to finalize the full system scan procedure. Please restart your computer if prompted, as it is essential. After the restart, Malwarebytes will open and display a message that the scan was complete.

Note: Don’t forget to delete the quarantined files afterward.

Simply quarantining the malware files is not enough to make sure they are completely removed. This is a very common misconception: once you click the quarantine button, it is all good and gone.

But, while its effects and harmful activities are halted, the malware is still in the system, only placed in the anti-malware program’s quarantine folders. To completely remove it from the computer, go to Detection History from the home screen, select all Quarantined items, and click Delete.

Image of Malwarebytes Deleting Items

You have successfully removed malware from your computer. Rest assured they would not resurface again since Malwarebytes offers a premium trial for 14 days, so you could take advantage of it for free and prevent malware from infecting your system.

While the detection and removal of malware is free for Malwarebytes, the premium versions include real-time protection that ensures your computer is safe all the time. Although we encourage you to use the premium trial, you are free to purchase the full version if you find it useful.

The program is an anti-malware that removes harmful threats like trojan horses, worms, stealers, miners, keyloggers, and many other forms of malware and computer viruses.

We suggest Malwarebytes if you are looking for a removal tool and as a second opinion scanner, but if you want full-fledged antivirus software, we believe that the built-in Windows Defender is sufficient for computer security, or if you want something with a more sophisticated system and better protection: Kaspersky Free.

If you choose to uninstall Malwarebytes, you may suddenly see that Windows Defender Real-Time Protection is turned off. This is a common issue that users may face when uninstalling the software. To fix this issue, you may refer to this article.

Alternative: Kaspersky Free Antivirus

After removing malware from your system, you may want to install antivirus software to protect your system against malware.

More importantly, running an additional scan with a different program’s threat database will alert you to hidden Trojan viruses and rootkits that were not removed from the prior scan with Malwarebytes.Image of Kaspersky Home ScreenKaspersky is a widely known antivirus software that has been on the market for as long as the field of cybersecurity has existed. It is acclaimed by professionals in the field and is one of the most effective antivirus programs available. With its advanced internet security protection, it can also remove additional malware from the computer.

What is the difference between anti-malware and antivirus? Anti-Malware software is designed to specifically remove malware and its variants. In addition, it employs heuristic-based detection by picking up harmful code from files.

On the other hand, an antivirus uses signature-based detection, which examines data for attacks to protect users from dangerous viruses, including keyloggers, loaders, worms, trojans, and others.

Malwarebytes and Kaspersky are identical, but Kaspersky is a better overall program since Malwarebytes’ main purpose is to remove malware, but Kaspersky has been known for comprehensive computer security protection ever since.
Image of Kaspersky Security TabBased on our experience removing malware, when two different programs are used to scan, various threats are identified by one software but not by the other. Given that their threat databases differ from each other, it might be able to capture harmful viruses, rootkits, and trojans that Malwarebytes has missed.

Please be aware that if you decide to use Kaspersky, you should first uninstall Malwarebytes because having both security programs installed will cause a conflict. If you choose to do so, please remove Malwarebytes first, as it is essential to do so before we get started.

1. Click the button below to start downloading Kaspersky Antivirus on your computer. On the following page, we have provided clear details on how to install it on the computer. On the other hand, you may go to their official website by searching for the software on your web browser or typing Kaspersky.com (Beware of misspellings since cybercriminals typically use these as exploits to redirect users to malicious webpages).

Download Kaspersky

2. Go to the download page for Kaspersky Free Antivirus. Before clicking download, you will be prompted to choose your continent and where your country is located. This is very important, and you should not choose a different country because you will be met with a “Not supported in your region” message during installation.Image of Kaspersky Free Choose Location3. Once you click download, a setup file (startup.exe) will be downloaded on the computer. After it has finished downloading, open its file location, right-click the executable file, and then select Run as administrator. This will ensure that Kaspersky’s installation will be smooth and will not result in certain errors.Image of Kaspersky Installation File4. The Kaspersky installation wizard will launch, and you can then proceed to install Kaspersky Free by following the setup instructions. If a UAC prompt appears, simply accept it and proceed with the installation.5. Please be patient while Kaspersky is being installed on your computer. The speed and length of the installation process will depend on your computer’s specifications. Kaspersky also mentioned that sluggishness or dark displays during the installation of their program are normal and should not be worried about.

6. To use the antivirus program, you must first create an account on the sign-in page that appears after the antivirus application has been successfully installed on the computer. If you’re looking for the sign-up button, simply enter your email exactly as it appears; if you don’t already have an account, one will be created for you.Image of Kaspersky Login Page7. Kaspersky will ask you to decide which plan to use. It will be either the Standard version or Kaspersky Plus. In this case, the standard version is all you need for now. If you want to try the premium version of Kaspersky, you may opt for Kaspersky Plus to try the features for free. You do not have to add a payment method to get started, and after the trial ends, you will be downgraded to the Standard version unless you pay for it.Image of Kaspersky Trial Plans8. You will be asked if you want to install additional applications, namely Kaspersky Password Manager and a VPN. Feel free to opt for a program you might want to use; otherwise, install both, or choose not to if you do not need them.Image of Kaspersky Additional Applications Option9. Kaspersky will ask you to scan for viruses in the background. Simply choose not to do so because we will be doing a full system scan later; on the other hand, doing a scan now will only initiate a quick scan. However, if you want to be safe, you can run the background scan now and proceed with a full system scan after.Image of Kaspersky Scan in Background10. Once the antivirus application has opened, go to the security tab and click the choose a scan button. You will be presented with several different scans; go for the full system scan to ensure full computer security. Always remember to update the database because this will ensure that Kaspersky can detect newly discovered threats and exploits.Image of Kaspersky Full Scanning Tab11. A full system scan will take a long time to finish since it will look into all the files on the computer, including the registry, memory, startup applications, and many more. The scanning time will depend on how many files there are on the computer and how big the files are. Additionally, the computer’s hardware and specs will also play into how long the scan will take.

12. After the full system scan is finished, it may detect remnants of the malware as well as other viruses hiding in the computer, showing its location along with a detection name (Trojan.Win32.Generic, Exploit.Win32.Generic, etc.) given to it. Go ahead and proceed to disinfect and restart the computer.Image of Kaspersky Removing Virus13. The Advanced Disinfection process will then start, and depending on the amount of RAM the computer has, it could take some time. It will then request a computer restart to complete the operation.Your computer will now have finished the entire system scan after restarting. By doing this, you can be sure that ransomware and other forms of malware and viruses have been wiped from your computer.

You shouldn’t be concerned if the scan turned up no instances of malware or viruses, which indicates that there isn’t any malware on your computer. If two independent programs declare your computer safe, then that’s probably the case.

Step 2: Find a Decryption Tool

Finding a working decryption tool for ransomware-infected data may be difficult, if not impossible. Because there may not be much information on a virus that appears to be new, it may take time to create a decryption.

However, you can check Emsisoft’s Ransomware Decryption Tools page on their official website to see if a decryption program for the ransomware in question is available. In addition, you can also try Avast’s Free Ransomware Decryption Tools to see if they offer one that works as well.

Note that these sites may not have one available at present, therefore you may also want to try the file recovery applications that are shown below.

File Recovery Programs to Try and Use:

Here are programs you may use to restore your files from a ransomware attack. Note that the tools mentioned below do not guarantee the decryption of ransomware-infected files.

ShadowExplorer Application
Shadow Explorer

ShadowExplorer is a file recovery program that allows you to recover prior versions of files that have been altered or overwritten. The application accesses the location in which the documents or files are located and retrieves them from there.

(Click here to download)

For your information, Windows saves a copy of the files you updated with its restore points, but you won’t be able to access them until you have the feature turned on. Restoring your data with software like ShadowExplorer, on the other hand, can be a lifesaver especially when facing a ransomware virus.

In a matter of seconds, the application will display all of the recovered copies. Whatever sort of file you need to restore, ShadowExplorer will find the overwritten copies in any format. This application is extremely useful since it could simply pull up a backup copy of the infected data and get it back. It would be as if it wasn’t infected at all, as long as there is a shadow copy of the files it could do just that.

PhotoRec Application
PhotoRec

Photo Rec is primarily a photo recovery program. It allows you to recover photographs from a variety of digital devices, including laptops, video cameras, mobile phones, external drives, and more.

The tool can also recover corrupted photos, making it suitable for occasions such as ransomware attacks.

(Click here to download)

Since corrupted photos can be lost or unrecoverable. PhotoRec comes in handy here. The application is a digital picture recovery utility that allows you to recover photographs and images from a variety of devices, even if they have been corrupted by system or file damage.

The program is open-source and free. It recovers missing files from a system using text-based data recovery algorithms. However, do note that this application cannot ensure that your infected photos will be completely decrypted.


Step 3: Precautionary Measures

Before returning to normal Windows mode, make sure the computing device is safe and malware-free. You don’t want another ransomware attack to occur once you reboot.

Cybercriminals utilize a variety of methods to obtain access to their victims’ devices; individuals who have recently been hacked should ensure that their device’s security is tight to prevent hackers from gaining access again.

Here are a few things to do to keep the computer safe against another ransomware attack or any other dangerous threats.

Controlled folder access should be used if you’re running Windows 10 or 11. It helps safeguard sensitive data from malicious threats, such as the ransomware virus.

Turning it on will limit access to the specified folders to just those applications that have been permitted to open them. Please follow the procedures below to enable controlled folder access unless you already have it enabled.

1 Open the Windows Start Menu and search Windows Security then click the application.

2 Once the Windows Security application shows up, click on Virus & threat protection from one of the options shown.

3 Scroll down and find the Ransomware protection section, then click the Manage ransomware protection as shown.

4 Turn on the Controlled folder access by toggling it On.

5 From the Protected folders button, you can add the folders you want protected and only apps with permission are only allowed to access it.

Although not every file on the computer can be safeguarded, all valuable files should be retained and placed in a protected folder. Malware like ransomware won’t be able to infect and encrypt files within a protected folder thanks to the Controlled folder access functionality.

It’s a very helpful feature to have, but you should be cautious about which apps you provide access to protected folders. There may be viruses disguised as genuine programs that could try and take advantage of this, therefore be cautious when permitting programs and double-check that they are valid.

One of the most important precautions, according to many computer experts, is to periodically back up your files so that you have a copy in case of a ransomware attack. The damage would be lessened if files were backed up to a cloud or a USB stick, but many individuals do not make it a routine to back up their files.

After getting hit by ransomware, one would undoubtedly learn their lesson and perform regular backups.  Cloud storage is one of the best ways to back up your files because it is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Fortunately, OneDrive has a computer file backup feature, and you should back up your files now as a precaution in case of another attack. OneDrive is preinstalled for Windows 10 and later versions, so if you are using an older system, you have to download the application first (click here).

1 To access One Drive, open the Windows Start Menu and search OneDrive then click the application.

2 Once the OneDrive application/website opens up, fill in the required information needed to sign up if you haven’t done it yet.

3 Back up the files that are in Desktop, Pictures, and Documents by making sure there is a checkmark on the upper right of their icons. Click Continue to proceed with the next steps and finish the introduction.

4 As you can see, OneDrive is a folder and if you want to add more items to safeguard, simply copy and paste that item into this designated folder. Files that are backed up will have a checkmark beside them. Those with the cloud icon mean that they are only available when there is an internet connection.

Once your files are safe, it will greatly limit the chance of being damaged during another malware attack since you can just pull a backup from the OneDrive cloud.

Safeguard your data and privacy online by using a VPN application

VPNs, also known as virtual private networks, guarantee your safety and complete anonymity while you browse the internet.

In contrast to a firewall, which monitors and blocks potentially harmful connections in the network, A VPN hides the user’s connection via a tunnel so that it would appear to third parties as a different IP address and location.

This ensures that your data won’t be leaked because the program hides it. Be aware that visiting infected websites may cause your IP address and location to be disclosed; however, if you use a VPN, this will prevent your true IP address from being revealed to malware actors.

If you already had Kaspersky installed from the previous step, you had the choice to install its integrated Virtual Private Network, which is a good tool that we also advise.

However, if you decide against doing so and instead download a VPN-only program to cloak your web browsing activity, Mullvad, and AirVPN are excellent choices for fast connections and better privacy.

Mullvad VPN

Image of Mullvad VPN

Download Mullvad VPN

Since user privacy is the main focus of a virtual private network program, Mullvad VPN excels at putting users’ privacy first. You do not need to enter your email address while registering to download their application because they maintain anonymous accounts.

If you wanted to hide or didn’t want your credit card information to be disclosed, they also accept Bitcoin payments. According to their website, they support a free internet that is devoid of surveillance and censorship.

They have also been announcing new server locations to guarantee users a fast connection anytime they want to connect to various areas throughout the world.

AirVPN

Image of AirVPN Application

Download AirVPN

AirVPN seeks to provide customers with access to the real internet, in contrast to Mullvad, which promises to offer users a free internet. Along with masking your IP, they also don’t monitor or log any user data, which is good.

You can use it for a long time without worrying about being disconnected because they don’t impose a traffic or time limit when connecting to their network. In addition, there are infinite, cost-free server changes with physically fast servers in many different nations.

Additionally, when registering for their program, you are not required to enter your email address. They also offer strong encryption and Perfect Forward Secrecy to ensure that it is difficult to determine the user’s connection.

Utilize an adblocker when browsing the internet

Installing an adblocker on the browser is the best way to prevent malicious software.

Additionally, by blocking malicious websites before users can even access them, it is possible to prevent malware from being downloaded.

In this case, we recommend uBlock Origin, which is an open-source AdBlock extension that comes at no cost and is free forever. It is one of the most reliable plugins out there, ensuring that every advertisement on a webpage will be blocked.

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search for the browser extension, or click here to go directly to the extension page.

2. Click the Add to Chrome button. Then click Add extension when the confirmation window appears.

3. uBlock Origin is now installed in Google Chrome. The adblocker is turned on by default; you can click the power button if you wish to turn it off for a while. The menu can be found by clicking the puzzle icon in the upper-right corner next to the search bar.

1. Visit the Firefox Add-ons Store and search for uBlock Origin, or click here to automatically go to the extension’s webpage.

2. Click Add to Firefox, and after that, a confirmation window will appear stating the permissions it will grant the addon. Finally, to add it to the browser, click Add.

3. Mozilla Firefox now has uBlock Origin installed. The adblocker is activated by default; if you want to disable it for some reason, simply click the power button. The menu can be found in the upper-right corner of the web browser, next to the search bar.

1. Go to the Edge Addon Store and search for the said browser extension. You can also click here to go directly to the plugin page of the Adblocker.

2. Click the Get button, and a confirmation window will appear. Continue installing the extension by selecting Add extension.

3. Now that uBlock Origin is installed on the browser, you can choose to disable the Adblocker by clicking the power button. The menu can be accessed by hovering over the extension’s icon next to the search bar.

The majority of pop-up advertisements, whether they include malware or not, will be filtered by the extension and no longer be displayed to you. Currently, uBlock Origin is not available for Mac or iOS users, but there are plenty of free options on the market, such as AdBlock for Safari.

Use a firewall to prevent cyber attacks

A security firewall is required for every internet connection that is made. It is an essential tool that enhances security and stops online attacks.

Through a security mechanism, it controls incoming and outgoing network connections on your system and network and filters the undesirable ones. Consider it a further barrier against malicious assaults and zero-day exploits.

You don’t need to do anything if you installed Kaspersky in the previous step because the program we installed earlier comes with a built-in firewall that is turned on by default.

On the other hand, if you prefer a standalone, fully functional firewall utility application that is exclusively focused on securing the network, we recommend these top two firewall solutions for personal computers: Comodo and ZoneAlarm.

Comodo Personal Firewall

Image of Comodo Firewall

Get Comodo Firewall

Comodo Firewall is a well-known software program for securing your network and computer. It is a sophisticated tool with a wide range of features.

It is simple to use and doesn’t require complicated configuration to set up. It also functions by being aware of your computer usage habits to avoid interfering with your work.

Additionally, it claims to offer the highest levels of protection against both inbound and outbound threats. It secures the ports on your computer from hackers and prevents rogue software from sending your sensitive data over the internet.

ZoneAlarm Free Firewall

Image of ZoneAlarm Free Firewall

Get ZoneAlarm Firewall

You can also opt for ZoneAlarm Free Firewall as your first line of defense between your device and the internet. The program safeguards your network and blocks any dangers, and you can use the free version of it without paying anything.

It provides a robust two-way protection solution that guards against spyware from disclosing your data online while also hiding your PC from nefarious hackers.

With its cutting-edge anti-bot protection, it also protects your computer from automated cyberattacks in real-time.

Additionally, it protects your computer against spam, dubious websites, and many others. Lastly, it provides real-time defense against automated cyberattacks with its cutting-edge anti-bot security.

Bottom Line

While this may appear to be typical advice, we recommend users not visit illegal streaming or torrenting websites and more importantly, download anything from them because doing so may result in the installation of malware and viruses.

Always make sure that your device is protected against sneaky exploits and stealthy cyberattacks. While taking precautions and avoiding dubious websites are crucial, having a solid line of defense is essential to ensuring the security of your network and data.

If you experience another computer issue, please visit our website to find a solution for your problem or get in touch with us, and SecuredStatus will be happy to assist you once again.