What is Criptovirology ?

Criptovirology is the study of cryptography, and how specifically it affects malware online. The main theme here is that public-key cryptography has the potential to break the symmetry between what the antivirus creator sees and what the antivirus remover sees. The virus remover sees a “public key”, and the virus writer sees a public key and a private key. In the absence of VPN software, the user has to pay the virus creator to get that special key to turn off or delete the malware. In theory, once the user knows the key or algorithm, he/she has the potential to minimize the virus and malware threat.

The field of cryptovirology involves program developers who design the malware, which can also be called ransomware, since it is derived from the very first use of cryptovirology: a blatant extortion attempt, in which hackers demanded money from their victims. Today, the ransom principle still applies, since the computer interface and or web browser is hijacked until the user buys software to restore the system (or perhaps under the guise of a virus removal program). In cryptovirology, private keys are stolen thanks to asymmetric backdoors (as opposed to symmetric backdoors). In addition to ransomware, cryptovirology can also be used to steal passwords and crack private information.

Some of the most famous cryptoviruses include the One-half virus, the Tremor Virus, and the Win32.Gpcode.ag virus. What can you do to combat these viruses and malware programs that are lurking everywhere on the Internet? Some people state that in order to truly protect yourself from hacking you have to (A) stop using unsecure sites online (which frankly is becoming next to impossible); (B) try to learn more about computers, and in essence, figure out the hacker’s plan in advance; and (C) invest in VPN services.

Indeed, (C) VPN is the most desirable choice, as you consider the growing complexities of hacking. After all, if you were to battle hackers at their own game, you would have to learn more about public/private keys and how they work, kleptographic attacks and smart card devices, non-zero sum Game Theory, and many other complex issues.

The easiest way to protect yourself is to subscribe to a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service which protects your computer by masking the I.P. address as well as creating a secure (SSL) connection for all of your online transactions. Don’t take chances with today’s hacking threats…protect yourself and your precious online valuables!