Ransomware is a type of downloaded computer contaminant used as malware demanding the user to pay a ransom to remove the infection. Ransomware was first used in 1989 that triggered a payload (the part of the malware that performs a malicious action) claiming that the user’s license to use a certain piece of software had expired by encrypting files on the computer requiring the user to pay money to unlock the system.
Ransomware has increased in use by cyber criminals and one estimate by US law enforcement says it is around $100 million per year. How cyber criminals do this is to appear that what you are downloading or installing from a web site or an email attachment is legitimate posing as something to benefit you, your computer or software (i.e. an upgrade), but instead will make matters worse for you after you download it and then demand the ransom to restore your computer or mobile device.
The Australian Business Review says that ransomware has been used on an Android App called Adult Player which appears to offer the user pornographic images but instead secretly takes pictures with the front facing camera and then holds the phone hostage threatening to release private photos from the Android phone to the user’s contact list unless the user pays $500 US Dollars through PayPal. According to IBT, "Once the photographs are taken, the malware then locks the user's device, threatening to either expose the user and reveal privacy information, or to completely wipe the device of all its contents."
Benefit/Risk Ratio
It is important to always remember whether the benefit of downloading or installing anything to your computer or mobile device is worth the risk. As ConnectedLiving has posted before, NEVER DOWNLOAD or INSTALL ANYTHING that you are not fully convinced came from a trusted source. Your computer or mobile device asks you (or warns you) before you download or install anything. That is the time to stop and think about the benefit/risk ratio. Ask at this point whether you can trust who is offering the benefit? Is the web site trustworthy? Is the email from someone trustworthy? If a trusted friend has sent an attachment to download or install, could it be possible that this trusted friend was hacked? Whenever you download or install anything without checking it out you run the risk of damaging your computer or mobile device. Before you download or install, check if this is safe by Googling or read what others are saying about this proposed benefit to your computer or mobile device. Only download or install anything from trusted sources.
The Adult App cannot be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Google has made efforts to keep the store safe from such malware. ConnectedLiving recommends only download apps for your mobile device from the Google Play Store. What if consumers complain that their device was installed with ransomware from the Google Play Store? Wouldn't Google do something about this? Consumers who download outside trusted sources are on their own and have taken a risk not worth the benefit.
The Apple App Store is also a trusted source to download and install apps for your device. Since these apps are monitored by Apple as safe to download the benefit is worth the risk. And if by chance you are infected with malware, you can complain to Apple about it. If you download outside the Apple App Store the benefit/risk ratio tilts toward the risk side and you are totally on your own.
