GoalDescribe how ransomware works and what a young person should do.
New words
ransomware · malware that blocks access to your files, or locks a device, and asks for money to give access backencryption · turning data into a code that cannot be read without a keyransom · money an attacker demandsbackup · a copy of important files kept somewhere else
Explanation
Imagine that someone breaks into your house, locks you out and says you can only come in if you give money. Ransomware does something like this to files. It is malware that encrypts your files, so that they cannot be read, or locks a device, and then shows a message that asks for a ransom. It usually arrives through suspicious messages, harmful links or websites, or a program downloaded from a place that cannot be trusted. Note that it blocks access to the files; the device itself is not destroyed. What should you do? Do not open a strange message, do not click a strange link, and never follow the demands of a message that appears on a screen. Stay calm and tell a grown-up or a teacher at once. Grown-ups also keep systems updated and make backups, because a copy kept elsewhere means the files are not lost.
a suspicious message arrives→someone clicks a harmful link→files are locked and a message asks for money→stay calm, do not follow it, tell a grown-up
Worked examples
A school computer shows a red screen: “Your files are locked.” Mina does not touch anything. She walks to her teacher and says what she saw. The teacher calls the school’s technical helper.
Without a backup
With a backup
files locked, no other copy
files locked, a copy is safe
big loss
small loss
A family keeps photos on a phone and also a copy in another safe place. If a phone is locked by malware, the copy keeps the photos. A backup does not stop an attack, but it lowers the loss.
Class activity
Make a small poster called “If I see a strange message”. Draw three steps with simple pictures: stay calm, do not click, tell a grown-up. Add one line that says what a backup is. Hang it at home if your family agrees.
Practice
1
What does a ransomware message ask for after it has locked the files?
Money, called a ransom, in return for access.
2
Name two ways ransomware can reach a device.
For example a suspicious message with a harmful link, or a download from an untrusted site.
3
A message on a screen says your files are locked. What are the first two things to do?
Stay calm and do not follow it; tell a grown-up or teacher at once.
