Discover the industry’s leading anti-ransomware
Our ransomware protection prevents attacks before they even happen.
Ransomware is a critical threat to your computer and your data. Defend yourself with the premium anti-ransomware powers of our award-winning Free Antivirus.
Avira Free Antivirus with anti-ransomware
Ransomware. What is it and how do you get it?
Imagine paying a ransom to access your own system.
It puts your system in lock down
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts the hard disk of the infected system. After an attack, the data can’t be accessed anymore– forever, or until you pay for a code to decrypt your own data again.
Ransomware represents a major threat to individuals and businesses alike. Within a few minutes after an attack, the system is rendered useless. Then it gets worse: Other devices in the same network are encrypted in no time, and monitors start turning black company-wide.
Beware of phishing scammers
Ransomware is often spread through phishing emails that contain malicious attachments or links. It’s also spread by software bundles called exploit kits, which can hide on web pages. These nifty packages identify vulnerabilities in your system and exploit them to install ransomware.
Did you know…?
- Millions of systems have already been infected, but small businesses are particularly vulnerable.
- Microsoft Office, Adobe PDF, and image files have been targeted most to date, but additional types of files will become targets as ransomware continues to evolve.
- Cyber extortionists typically request payment in the form of Bitcoins or online payment voucher services, such as Ukash or Paysafecard.
It’s a lucrative business for hackers
There are a few dominant families of ransomware in existence. Each has its own variants and mutations surface daily. Here are some examples from the ransomware Hall of Fame:
- NotPetya targeted dozens of businesses around the world and cost the American pharmaceutical giant Merck alone more than $310 million.
- WannaCry is the most widely known ransomware across the globe. Ithas infected nearly 125,000 organizations in over 150 countries.
- Jigsaw starts deleting files one after the other on an hourly basis.After 72 hours all remaining files are deleted.
Here’s why reliable anti-ransomware is essential
If you are infected, all is not lost… actually, it is. Data can’t be recovered, unless you want to give in to hacker demands (and can afford to). In most cases buying new hardware is the only option or formatting or erasing the hard drive and starting over. It’s therefore essential to protect your data and hardware with a reputable anti-virus that offers powerful, fast-evolving anti-ransomware.
For comprehensive protection:
1. Install anti-virus/anti-malware software.
2. Be diligent about keeping that software updated
Why choose ransomware protection from Avira?
It’s part of our award-winning Avira Free Antivirus, so it’s technology you can truly trust for more than just ransomware protection and removal. Plus, it’s made in Germany and backed by our 30 years of expertise in protecting your digital world.
Award-winning technology that helps protect millions of users.
Get free antivirus with phishing protection— download now.
Secure all your devices with Avira.
LOOKING FOR PREMIUM ANTIVIRUS?
Discover Antivirus Profor Mac and Windows
Ransomware protection helps you block this dangerous type of malware and protect yourself from blackmail. Whereas Avira Free Antivirus uses a signature-based analysis to detect known threats, the advanced ransomware protection offered by Avira Antivirus Pro also performs a heuristic (behavior-based) analysis. This means you can also protect yourself from the latest types of malware as well as as-of-yet unidentified mutations. And because you can get infected by ransomware as a result of security flaws in outdated software and harmful websites, the software updater feature and browser safety add-on included with Avira Free Antivirus add an additional layer of protection.
The ransomware protection offered by Avira Free Antivirus works by analyzing the virus signature and detecting known ransomware types. This process involves checking the potential threat against Avira’s immense, ever-growing ransomware database – if a match is found, the threat is blocked. Avira Antivirus Pro’s advanced ransomware protection also performs a heuristic (behavior-based) analysis that checks which actions the individual components of the code trigger. If actions are detected that are typically initiated by ransomware, they are blocked.
A free antivirus tool with powerful ransomware protection will help you protect your device against this type of malware. In addition, you should always make sure that your programs and apps are up to date, such as by using a software updater — something that’s also included with Avira Free Antivirus. That’s because cybercriminals often try to exploit security flaws in outdated software to inject malware into your device. Clicking carelessly on malicious links or attachments in phishing emails can also lead to malware getting on to your device. You can block harmful websites using the free Avira Browser Safety add-on. And since ransomware can encrypt your files or lock you out of your device all together, it’s worthwhile backing up your files regularly.
Learn more about the following
What is adware?
Adware shows annoying or infected advertisements on your device without your permission and you get spammed with banners and pop-ups…
Learn more
What is malware and why is our Malware Scanner important?
Visiting websites and downloading files makes your computer or mobile device vulnerable to threats and attacks…
Learn more
What is phishing and why can it lead to ID theft?
Is that email from your bank? This technique uses deceptive emails and websites to gather personal information…
Learn more
What is spyware and why is it “watching”?
Spyware is a software that secretly monitors you and collects data about you, your device, and your online activities…
Learn more