2025 witnessed an increase of 49% of ransomware attacks compared to the previous year. This sharp uptick is likely due to the widespread adoption of AI by cybercriminals, allowing them to launch more attacks and work much faster than before.
While the definition of malware can include mildly annoying adware or cryptominers, ransomware is what you really need to worry about. It can encrypt your files and hold them hostage or lock you out of your Mac entirely. Not to mention, ransomware works fast, so you need to work faster in order to save your data before it’s too late.
In this article, we’ll go over the different ways malware can infect your device, how to prevent this from happening, and what you can do if you’re infected.
What is Ransomware?
As the name implies, ransomware is a type of malware designed to hold your computer or data, hostage, until you pay a ransom. It typically comes in the form of an email attachment or a malicious website that will download and install the ransomware on your computer without you even knowing it.
Once installed, ransomware can encrypt your files, making them inaccessible, or it can lock you out of your computer entirely. In some cases, ransomware will also delete your backups, so you can’t recover your data.
As you might imagine, this form of cyberattack is a serious threat to businesses and individuals alike. From a financial side, it’s predicted that by 2031, the annual cost of ransomware will be about USD$265 billion. Not only can it cause massive financial damage, but it can also disrupt your operations. In some cases, it can even lead to data loss.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from ransomware. But before we get to that, it’s important to get a good grasp of how this malware works.
How does ransomware work?
Once ransomware finds its way into your device, it will start to encrypt your files with a strong encryption algorithm. After the encryption process is completed, the ransomware will display a ransom note on your screen, demanding you to pay a certain amount of money (usually in bitcoins) to decrypt and regain access to your files.
In some cases, the attackers also threaten to delete or release the encrypted files if the ransom is not paid within a certain time frame. Any attempt to remove the ransomware from your device without paying the ransom will result in the encrypted files being permanently lost.
With that said, simply paying the ransom does not guarantee that you will get your files back. The majority of the time, victims who pay the ransom never end up receiving the decryption key from the attackers.
And it’s not just PC or Windows users who have reason to worry. Today’s ransomware can infect just about any internet-capable device, including Macs, iPhones, Android smartphones, and even smart TVs.
How modern ransomware attacks play out, from breach to data extortion
It’s a multi-stage process, and the damage to your files and device will depend on when you manage to catch and remove the malware.
The ransomware needs to start by gaining access to your system. This can happen through any of the infection methods we mentioned before; it could be a phishing email, stolen credentials, or an infected file. Once inside, the ransomware will establish persistence, ensuring it doesn’t get deleted or detected if you restart your machine.
Most ransomware immediately starts encrypting your files. Although more sophisticated ones might try to identify vulnerabilities in your system, disable security tools, or delete backups. Once a part or all of your data has been encrypted, you’ll be contacted with a ransom note for extortion, demanding payment and setting a deadline.
How can you get rid of ransomware?
If you suspect your device has been infected with ransomware, time is of the essence, and you need to move quickly. Once a file has been encrypted, decrypting it without the key is extremely difficult.
Install an antivirus software and run a scan
Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Moonlock to check for ransomware malware on your Mac. Here’s how to run your first scan:
- Open Moonlock, then navigate to the Malware Scanner tab on the left.
- From the drop-down menu, select the scan type. We recommend you opt for a Deep Scan to allow Moonlock to scan all files on your Mac.
- Click Scan.
Moonlock will search your device for all kinds of threats, including ransomware. If it finds anything, it will immediately stop it from encrypting more of your files by locking it in quarantine. You can then use Moonlock to safely and fully remove the ransomware from your device. However, note that getting rid of the malware won’t be able to restore any files that have already been encrypted.
Restore your system from a clean backup
If you’ve been regularly backing up your files, whether online or offline, you can return to a version from before your device got infected. It’s important to note that you can’t restore backups from after your Mac got infected, as that will recover the malware along with it. Also, this will likely only work if your backup storage location wasn’t connected when the attack happened.
Types of ransomware
Most of the ransomware you’ll encounter usually falls under the ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) umbrella. Shady developers create the ransomware and then sell it to other cybercriminals. While this generally makes ransomware easier for antimalware software to detect, it also means that almost anyone can launch their own ransomware attack without much technical expertise.
Typically, ransomware falls into 3 categories depending on how they target your data:
- Crypto-ransomware: This type encrypts your files, and sometimes your entire hard drive, allowing the attacker to demand payment for the decryption key.
- Locker ransomware: Instead of targeting individual files, locker ransomware aims to block you from accessing your device entirely. While the files technically remain intact, there’s no way of accessing them.
- Double and triple extortion ransomware: These add additional layers of extortion by threatening to expose your personal files. In some instances, they might go as far as to use your stolen data to impersonate you or target people in your circle.
Keep in mind that a ransomware attack may not start immediately after a device is infected. In some cases, the attacker will wait some time before encrypting the files or displaying the ransom note. This is done to avoid detection and increase the chances that the victim will pay the ransom.
What are some of the most notable examples of ransomware attacks?
Perhaps the most infamous type of ransomware is WannaCry, which was responsible for infecting more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries in 2017. The attackers behind WannaCry used a vulnerability in the Windows operating system to spread the malware and encrypt victims’ files.
Another well-known type of ransomware is Cryptolocker, which first appeared in 2013. Cryptolocker was notable for being the first type of ransomware to use asymmetric encryption, which made it much more difficult to decrypt the files without paying the ransom.
More recently, in 2020, a new type of ransomware called Maze began appearing. Maze is unique in that it not only encrypts victims’ files but also steals and exfiltrates them. The attackers then threaten to release the stolen data if the ransom is not paid.
These are but a few examples of the many types of ransomware that have been used in attacks. Collectively, they’re responsible for causing billions of dollars in damage and affecting millions of people around the world. When you consider just how much harm ransomware can cause, it’s no wonder that it’s become one of the most feared cyber threats.
So this begs the question — what can you do to protect yourself from these cyberattacks? While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent all ransomware infections, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk.
How to protect against Ransomware
Phishing attacks are one of the most common ways that ransomware is spread. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from these types of attacks.
Best thing you can do is to be cautious when opening email attachments or clicking on links in emails, even if they appear to be from a legitimate source. If you’re not expecting an email with an attachment, be sure to contact the sender to confirm that they actually sent it before opening it.
It’s also a good idea to avoid clicking on links in emails from people you don’t know. If you do receive an email from someone you don’t know and it contains a link, do not click on it. Instead, go to the website directly by typing the URL into your browser.
Another good way to protect yourself from phishing attacks is to use an anti-phishing tool. This is software that can help to identify and block phishing emails. Many email providers, such as Gmail and Outlook, already have built-in anti-phishing protection.
Use an antivirus to regularly scan for ransomware
Having a reliable antivirus solution is the best form of ransomware protection to have on hand. With regularly scheduled scans and real-time protection, Moonlock can detect ransomware as soon as it infects your system and immediately quarantine it. That way, even if your device does get infected, none of your files are encrypted, and the attackers won’t be able to extort you.
How to protect from ransomware exploit kits?
The scary thing about exploit kits is that they can be used to exploit vulnerabilities in just about any type of software. This means that just about any internet-capable device is at risk of being infected with ransomware.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from these types of attacks. One of the best things you can do is keep all of your software up to date. When a new vulnerability is found, software developers will release a patch to fix it. By keeping your software up to date, you can help to ensure that any new vulnerabilities are patched and that your device is protected.
How to prevent ransomware malvertising attacks
Malvertising is a type of attack that can be difficult to protect yourself from. This is because malicious ads can appear on legitimate websites, making them difficult to spot.
For this reason, the best thing that you can do to protect yourself from malvertising attacks is to use an ad blocker. Ad blockers are software that blocks ads from being displayed on websites. This can help to prevent malicious ads from being displayed, as well as block other types of unwanted ads.
Another good way to protect yourself is to be cautious when clicking on ads. If an ad looks suspicious or too good to be true, it’s probably best to avoid clicking on it.
How to avoid ransomware and drive-by downloads?
When it comes to drive-by downloads, the best defense is a good offense. This means that you need to take proactive steps to protect yourself from these types of attacks.
One of the best things you can do is to use a reputable antivirus program and keep it up to date. Antivirus programs can help to identify and block malicious files before they can be executed.
Another good defense against drive-by downloads is to disable Java and JavaScript in your web browser. These are two of the most common ways that attackers exploit vulnerabilities to deliver malicious code. By disabling them, you can make it more difficult for attackers to infect your device successfully.
What to do if you are already infected by ransomware?
Now knowing all these tips to avoid ransomware, what do you do if you find yourself infected?
Unfortunately, once your device has been infected with ransomware, there is no guaranteed way to remove it. This is because the attackers usually have full control of your device and can encrypt your files in a way that makes them inaccessible.
If you find yourself in this situation, your best bet is to contact a professional who can help you to remove the ransomware and restore your files. In some cases, it may also be possible to pay the ransom and get a decryption key from the attacker. However, this is not recommended as it encourages them to continue their attacks and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the key.
The best way to protect yourself from ransomware is to take proactive steps to prevent it from being installed in the first place. By following the tips in this guide, you can help to keep your device safe from this increasingly common type of attack.
FAQs
How can I tell if I have ransomware?
If you find that you are unable to access your files, or if they have been renamed with a strange extension, you may have been infected with ransomware.
Of course, the real confirmation is whether or not you receive a ransom demand.
How do I remove ransomware?
There is no guaranteed way to remove ransomware, but you may be able to use a professional service to help you. In some cases, it may also be possible to pay the ransom and get a decryption key from the attacker. That said, there’s no guarantee that this will work and it’s not recommended as it encourages them to continue their attacks.
Does VPN prevent ransomware?
A VPN can help to prevent ransomware by encrypting your traffic and making it more difficult for attackers to deliver malicious code. Some VPNs also come with ad blockers and other security features that can help to further protect you from ransomware and other types of attacks.
That said, a VPN won’t be able to help if you inadvertently click on a malware link or download an infected file. For this reason, it’s important to use a trustworthy VPN like ClearVPN in conjunction with other security measures, such as staying vigilant when clicking on links and using a reputable antivirus program.
So there you have it — our comprehensive guide to ransomware! We hope that this guide has helped to answer any questions that you may have had about this increasingly common type of attack.
Remember, the best way to protect yourself from ransomware is to take proactive steps to prevent it from being installed in the first place. By following the tips in this guide, you can help to keep your device safe from this dangerous threat.