"Opening New Year's Cards Leads to Malware Infection" Government Issues Warning

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Ministry of Science and ICT has issued a warning as hacking attempts using Christmas cards or New Year's cards containing malicious code to induce ransomware infections are on the rise.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 23rd, ransomware is a malicious code attack that encrypts data to make it unusable and demands money as ransom, combining the words "Ransom" and "Software." Especially at the end of the year, attacks disguised as Christmas cards or New Year's cards that induce clicking on unknown internet addresses (URLs) included in emails, or impersonating year-end tax settlement services to spread ransomware, are frequently attempted, requiring extra caution.

The Ministry of Science and ICT has provided information on ransomware infection cases and response measures, recommending individuals and companies strengthen security through security checks. Using easy passwords or having insufficient server security settings can lead to ransomware infections and exposure of important data. Additionally, with the expansion of remote work, weak account management increases vulnerability to ransomware attacks. Downloading the latest movies through P2P programs or using vulnerable versions of browsers can also expose users to ransomware threats.

To prevent damage, it is necessary to follow measures such as △ using the latest version of software (SW) and applying security updates △ being cautious about clicking on emails and URL links from unknown sources △ being careful when downloading files from file-sharing sites △ regularly backing up important data. The Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), provides 24-hour monitoring of abnormal signs and technical support for rapid recovery and prevention in case of security incidents to minimize ransomware infection damage.

Son Seung-hyun, Director of the Information Security Network Policy Division, said, "Since data recovery is virtually impossible once infected with ransomware, prevention such as backing up using external media and applying the latest security updates is the best measure. It is especially important to be cautious about clicking URLs and executing attachments included in hacking emails."

Director Son added, "The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to strengthen intrusion response monitoring and enhance publicity for ransomware damage prevention through public service advertisements to lead a trustworthy and safe digital future society."