Here are four things to know about the cyberthreat.
1. Nico Froehner, who works for Best Buy’s Geek Squad, told WFMY-TV his team has experienced a rise in pop-ups that pose as ransomware and demand money to purportedly unfreeze a target’s computer.
2. Mr. Froehner told WFMY-TV a cybercriminal might deploy a pop-up that temporarily locks a target’s computer in the hopes it scares the target into paying the demand.
3. However, if hit by a fake ransomware attack, a target can often get around the pop-up by restarting his or her computer or force quitting open programs.
4. The recent rise in pop-ups mirrors a prediction Kaspersky Lab detailed in a report released last month. Kaspersky predicted malware disguised as ransomware would pose an “alarming trend” in the third quarter of 2017.
More articles on cybersecurity:
Children’s Hospital Colorado alerts 3.4k patients of email breach
Alaska children’s services office hit with Trojan virus
20k patients affected after Delaware oncology, hematology group hit with ransomware
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.