Ransomware is putting the entire Internet in peril, and the worst part is that many users still don’t deem it necessary to protect themselves from the same. For instance, despite being online for my work the entire day I was surprised to find that my entire computer could be taken hostage by Ransomware despite using an Antivirus software. Last year itself the Ransomware industry was pegged at a whopping $1-Billion, and the amount is only increasing.
If you are still oblivious to what a Ransomware it, let us explain it to you. Ransomware is malware that takes control of your system, encrypts the files and then demands a ransom in order to give the encryption key. The perfect analogy for this would be the typical example of how Terrorists negotiate with the Government after taking the civilians as hostages. The situation is so bad that on the Dark Web, Ransomware is being offered as a Service, meaning anyone could rent a Ransomware and make money from the hostages.
While some pf us may take the proper steps to prevent ransomware and even install anti-ransomware software, how would we know if we are properly protected? This is where a ransomware simulator software like RanSim can help you. RanSim Ransomware Simulator checks your Windows systems preparedness for a Ransomware attack by simulating different types of attacks & informing you which files are vulnerable.
RanSim ransomware simulator software
Ransomware Simulator, RanSim is one of the best bet to check and see if you are protected from the Ransomware as it simulates an actual ransomware attack, as well as checks for your file system for vulnerabilities. RanSim simulates multiple types of Ransomware attack in order to ensure that your system is safe. The best part is that all of this is done without actually harming your data and the real strain test is carried out on all of the files and file systems on your PC.
RanSim simulates multiple types of Ransomware attacks to warn you about the state of security on your computer system. The best part is that all of this is done without actually harming your data and the real strain test is carried out on all of the files and file systems on your computer.
The tool tests your PC for the following ransomware attacks – InsideCryptor, LockyVariant, Mover, Replacer, Streamer, StrongCryptor, StrongCryptorFast, StrongCrytptorNet, ThorVariant, WeakCryptor ransomware currently.
To be able to install RanSim, you may need to temporarily turn off your antivirus program, though I didn’t have any problem with Windows Defender – the only security software I have installed – but some antivirus programs might block the installation.
Once installed, reactivate your antivirus software, if you had disabled it and then click on the Check now button. The tool will scan your computer and call out your unsafe files and folders. I was personally surprised and equally taken back when I saw that all my files were vulnerable to a handful of Ransomware.
RanSim also goes a step further and tells you which type of files are more vulnerable via a pie chart. Also, the dashboard displays the list of Ransomware that can attack your system successfully and the disk partition they will affect the most.
How do you know if your computer has ransomware?
It is pretty easy to know if your computer has ransomware or not because the ransomware itself appears on your screen frequently, letting you know its presence. However, you may not know if you do not open certain files or folders on your computer. On the other hand, your security shield can also help you know about ransomware.
Does ransomware lock your computer?
Yes, the primary intention of most ransomware is to lock your data so that you don’t get an option to unlock files other than paying the ransom. Ransomware demands money in exchange for the decryption key. The bottom line is that ransomware locks down your content and not the entire computer in most cases.
The free program has been developed by knowbe4.com but to download it, you have to fill in all your details like name, address, email ID, etc.
Let us know how your Windows system performed.
completely vulnerable.
0/10 – not vulnerable at all. Using WinAntiransom Plus+ (Now Winpatrol WAR)
Should have said 10/10, in any event, not vulnerable to any known ransomware variant tested for.
completely vulnerable
BECAUSE I allowed my AV ( Qihoo ) to accept the attack
I unallowed it afterwards
So: not vulnerable !!!
Qihoo recognized every attack
as well as MalwareBytes AntiExploit did
No problems whatsover
I am using Windows 10 Pro. I have Windows Defender permanently disabled (using Ultimate Windows Tweaker, courtesy of The Windows Club itself!)*
Instead of Defender, I use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Home (Premium), Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit Free, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware (Beta), Cyberreason RansomFree, and portable ClamWin Free Antivirus.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware alone blocked all 10 ransomware scenarios that RanSim Ransomware Simulator attempted.
In conclusion, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is good!
*I disabled Defender because I caught it deleting files Microsoft doesn’t like without providing any notification of its actions or even logging what it had done. I only discovered what it was doing because
I’d download a file I knew was clean to my desktop, and then a minute later I’d look for the file on my desktop and it was gone without a trace. It wasn’t in my recycling bin and Defender claimed total innocence, but I knew it was lying. I couldn’t even whitelist the file because Defender claimed the file didn’t exist. I found this behavior unacceptable, so I permanently killed Defender for its insolence!
10/10 vulnerable. Bloody useless Win 10 Defender!!
OK, now that we know, how do we uninstall this thing? It doesn’t show up on Iobit Uninstaller…
Run installer again. It offers you repair or uninstall.
“Panda online virus protection” caught AND neutralized ALL 10 attacks ! — “Simple Software-Restriction Policy” totally prevented the attacks from executing.
This is what I get when trying to run RanSim
Avast
Threat blocked
Object C:UsersusersDocumentsRanSimLauncher.exe
Infection Win32:Malware-gen
Process C:UsersusersDocumentsRanSimRanSim.exe
The threat was detected and blocked just before the file was
executed.
Report the file as a false positive
? Run Smart Scan
This checks your entire PC for issues.
So I have no clue
Or… MBAR detected these tests as false because they are not real ransomware. These “simulation” suites are crapware in my opinion.
P.S. My other comment did not get posted, I assume censoring has come to this site.
I do not see any other comment of yours, either in Spam or Pending list of Disqus.
when I try to download this program ” RanSim ” Google Chrome blocks the program and tells me to discard it. Why? Should I try and use this program? I have downloaded other programs from this site and never had this happen until this one instance. Note: also in the article it says something about disabling your antivirus, well when I went to try and get the download at Majorgeeks ( which I trust very well) they said not to disable your antivirus when you run this program)
[1] When Chrome blocks it, select the option to allow the download. It is a safe file. [2] If one knows that a file is safe to be run, one may need to temporarily disable the antivirus to allow it to be installed. This is because an AV software could be giving out false positives. Once installed, before you run it you should reactivate the AV so that this tool takes into consideration all your defense software, etc.
This tool https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-malware-prevention-tool has been taken down.
But this tool https://www.thewindowsclub.com/malicious-software-removal-tool-from-microsoft-faq is still available as you pointed out. :)