How does an average, relatively unsophisticated, home computer user wind up with "ransomware?" Does he / she have to do something "stupid" or is "ransomware" more like a tornado---a wrong place / wrong time issue?

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dragonfly forty-six Profile

Hubby and I had an issue with this yesterday. Hubby is currently playing Dark Souls 3. He was in the game with his Steam Browser open. He clicked on a link and BAM! He had a drive-by or ransomware virus. Being that he is very computer savvy he was able to fix the situation. He just fixed his mom's computer who also had a ransomware virus. Hubby definitely did not do anything stupid, it just happened. All it took was one click.

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dragonfly forty-six
Seems like it's been happening a lot more as of late. I'd say at least 5 people I know have had an issue with it since the new year. Funny thing is that 3 out of the 5 work on computers for a living or as a hobby.
Rooster Cogburn
Rooster Cogburn commented
I have to have Steam as some of the games I beta-test download through it. I keep my eyes open !
Corey The Goofyhawk
This is good to know because I'm constantly using Steam.
Rooster Cogburn Profile
Rooster Cogburn , Rooster Cogburn, answered

How you might have gotten it is in one of these links. The other is a removal technique. You don't need to download anything that will cost you. If you want one that has a 30 day free trial and you use that...Hitman Pro.           HitmanPro 3 - SurfRight

2016 Will Be the Year Ransomware Holds America Hostage

Microsoft Malware Protection Center - Ransomware

Didge Doo Profile
Didge Doo answered

How? Visiting the wrong sites, clicking on dangerous or unknown links, opening links in email, getting sucked in by dubious "friends" on Facebook and Twitter.

It helps to educate yourself about ransomware and to use adequate protection. (Don't surf the Net without an appropriate condom.)

Above all, back up your hard drive (and your cloud) and keep the backups away from your computer, so that when you get hijacked you'll have some options.

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Tom  Jackson
Tom Jackson commented
Thanks, Didge.

Don't have it, but it's in the news so much I wanted to check it out.

The internet condoms are on special order---long, large diameter, and thick walls have always been necessary in my personal experience---I see no reason to let down my guard while surfing the internet either..

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