The risk of cyberattacks in Saudi Arabia has been a hot topic for the past few years. The government has taken measures to reduce this threat by investing heavily in cybersecurity, but it is still unclear if these investments have paid off. Let’s take a look at the details of one of the most recent attacks and discuss what it means.
Index
2-How does Shamoon malware work?
3-What is Shamoon wiper malware?
4-What protects you from malware?
5-Can a VPN protect you from malware?
Aramco cyber-attack 2021
In 2021, a Shamoon hack attack was made on Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil and natural gas company. The hack attack was orchestrated by a group called “Cutting Sword of Justice” that leaked 1 terabyte of data from the firm. The files were used to try to extort $50 million from Aramco. The hack attack resulted in panic as the data hacked included confidential clients’ and employees’ information.
How does Shamoon malware work?
The malware copies itself to other network-attached devices. Once the payload is executed, Shamoon executes a Windows search algorithm on all files. This process ensures that Shamoon finds all original data, hidden data, and deleted files. This type of malware usually targets large-scale organizations, including Saudi Arabia, when it took out the primary country’s oil company data.
What is Shamoon wiper malware?
Shamoon is a destructive, wiper malware that has been connected to various cyber-attacks against Saudi Arabian Companies and entities. Shamoon first appeared in August 2012 and the latest variant emerged in March 2018 and targeted Windows systems and servers. The malware can wipe disks and destroy data using strong encryption methods that prevent victim organizations from fully restoring their information.
What protects you from malware?
The following are some of the ways to protect yourself from malware. Use antivirus software. Antivirus software is designed specifically to remove malware from infected systems and get an effective VPN you can use for all your devices. Keep your apps up-to-date with the latest updates. Malware creators often take advantage of vulnerabilities in outdated or unpatched systems, so you can close these vulnerabilities and prevent infection by updating your apps.
If you receive an email with links to suspicious websites, don’t click on them. Malware often comes in the form of spam emails, so be wary of opening links sent to you by unknown senders. If you open a link that automatically redirects you to another site, close your browser window fast before any data is compromised.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever available. By requiring 2FA for sensitive actions such as signing into your email account or logging into Facebook, Google, or Twitter, this extra step helps keep hackers out of your accounts even if they get their hands on your password. Make sure to back up your important data in the cloud. aKeeping backups of your files will save you time, money, and hassle in case your computer is ever infected with malware.
Can a VPN protect you from malware?
Absolutely. HelloVPN can protect you – or at least reduce the chances – from malware. When you have a paid subscription, your data is fully encrypted and secured, with no one able to intercept it. We also have more features that make anonymity when browsing sites, such as changing your IP to one outside of the country.
Conclusion
The Aramco cyber-attack 2021 has been successfully prevented. This is a relief for anyone worried about the future of their digital privacy and security. It’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean you can stop worrying, as there are many other threats out there waiting to pounce on your computer. Avoid malware by downloading HelloVPN
In order to protect yourself from malware, you must use software like VPNs or antivirus programs when browsing the web or downloading files. These tools will block unwanted ads or malicious code from infecting your machine without any effort on your part. A VPN service like HelloVPN will encrypt your devices so hackers cannot steal or damage any information stored there. Get Hello VPN here, and protect yourself while browsing the Internet.