Ransomware infections on computers have skyrocketed in recent years, but that doesn’t mean the criminals have forgotten about your smartphones.
Kaspersky Lab released a report on Wednesday demonstrating a four-fold increase in ransomware attacks hitting Android mobile users in just a year, which it called a “worrying trend.”
“The extortion model is here to stay,” Roman Unuchek, mobile security expert at Kaspersky Lab, said in a statement.
“Mobile ransomware emerged as a follow-up to PC ransomware and it is likely that it will be followed-up with malware targeting devices that are very different to a PC or a smartphone.”
In the typical ransomware on PCs, a user’s system is infected and all its files are encrypted. The attacker then displays a message telling them they have a few days to send money or their files will be destroyed. It’s a little different on mobile — much of the malware can’t encrypt other files — but the display of popup messages or the locking of the screen will still ask for money.
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
