New Delhi:- The government has informed about Internet ransomware named 'Akira', which steals and encrypts important data, which can lead to extortion. To avoid government-run cyber attacks, CERT-In has issued an advisory against 'Akira', and has also reported that this computer malware can attack systems based on Windows and Linux.

It states that it steals information and then encrypts the data on its system. Once this is done, the malware performs double extortion, thus forcing the victim to pay the ransom amount. The advisor said, "If the victim doesn't pay, they release their victim's data on their dark web blog."

CERT-In suggested that internet users should use basic online hygiene and security protocols to protect themselves from such attacks. It also recommended that users should maintain offline backups of important data and keep them updated, to prevent its loss in the event of an attack.

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The Technology Branch also advised that users should follow a strong password policy. Akira is malicious software designed to infiltrate Windows and Linux-based systems, compromise sensitive information and encrypt data, leading to potential extortion.

This report highlights the advanced tactics used by Akira ransomware. Attackers behind this insidious malware first secretly steal vital information from the victim's system. Once this is accomplished, the ransomware encrypts the data and makes it inaccessible to the user. Then, in a malicious move, the hackers execute a double ransom plan and force the victims to pay a certain amount of ransom money in order to regain control of their encrypted data.

CERT-In reveals that attackers resort to different intimidation tactics if victims refuse to comply with the hackers' demands. They can carry out their threats by exposing stolen data to the dark web, causing severe reputational damage and exposing sensitive information. 

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To protect against this growing threat, CERT-In strongly recommended that Internet users adopt basic online hygiene and protection protocols. These measures include keeping all software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches, regularly scanning your system for malware, and being careful when opening email attachments or downloading files from untrusted sources.

In addition to these precautions, the cybersecurity department recommended users to create offline backups of important data and update them regularly. This helps individuals and organizations protect themselves from data loss due to ransomware attacks.

Additionally, CERT-In emphasized the importance of implementing a strong password policy. Users are encouraged to use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts, making it difficult for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access.  

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The new Internet ransomware named 'Akira' has got the attention of the Indian Government and also the CERT has issued a security check to all the data users for the data safety.