This has been an issue for a little while, but is getting bigger every day.
What does this mean for you?
In short, keep an eye out when browsing anything on the web. Lots of blogs and websites (including ours, and Ars Technica which I linked) are running on WordPress, and there are hackers out there using these sites to serve up crypto viruses and other malware. Most major websites, along with ours, are keeping up with the latest WordPress updates and have good security practices, so you’re likely to be safe there, but there is no guarantee.
Unfortunately, if the attacks are truly silent like the article says, there might not be any indication if you get infected.
So the question to ask is, how do I protect myself? There’s really only one way: keep everything as up-to-date as possible. This includes Java, Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, and any browser you use (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer). Little bugs in these programs are the primary way that website-based infections can get into your computer.
Another step to take? Make backups of anything of importance. That way, if your system gets encrypted, you can just restore your files from the backup.
If you’re unsure about anything you see online, feel free to give one of our stores a call!