Encrypting ransomware will encrypt your files and then charge money for the key to decrypt them. Some of these malicious ransomware products go by the names: CryptoWall, CryptoLocker, CTB Locker, CryptorBit, KeyHolder, TeslaCrypt, Operation Global, TorrentLocker, CryptoDefense, ZeroLocker, and others.
If your computer or a computer in your organization were hit by this malware, you had a few options:
- Recover the files from your backups.
- Go without those files or recreate them.
- Pay the ransom of a couple hundred dollars and up.
Another approach has been to use a white-listing service like AppLocker so that only approved applications can run and the ransomware would be denied. CryptoMonitor is presenting itself as an anti-ransomware solution to protect against the latest malicious programs. It uses a freemium business model by offering the product in two tiers, a free and a Pro version.
The free version allows for entrapment protection to detect ransomware, the ability to terminate that detected malware process, whitelist legitimate processes, and email alerts.
Entrapment Protection lays numerous different types of traps all around your system that a Ransomware Infection cannot resist to touch. These traps send encrypted pattern signals back and forth between CryptoMonitor and themselves constantly. When a Ransomware Infection falls into one of these traps, the pattern is broken and CryptoMonitor immediately takes action. Once this happens, the machine is locked down and you are alerted about the infection and prompted for your decision on what actions to take. During this time, no file modifications are allowed, so your files are safe while you think about your course of action. With this protection enabled you may notice a few hidden files, registry keys, folders, and services running, but don’t worry, they are there to protect you!
The Pro version builds on this with a LockDown Mode to prevent changes until the threat can be neutralized by a professional if CryptoMonitor is not able to do so automatically, the ability to block malicious code injected into legitimate processes, text alerts, and more protections.
More details about the new product and a comparison between the Free and Pro ($20) tiers of CryptoMonitor can be found at www.easysyncsolutions.com/cryptomonitordetails.html
