Ransomware - It is not slowing down!
Ransomware has been for around for some time.
Whilst there are various forms of protection from Ransomware as well as an increasing number of defence mechanisms, Ransomware is not slowing down; in contrast, it is increasing.
What is Ransomware?
It is fair to say that many still do not know what Ransomware is. A recent study has shown that 43% of internet users ‘have no idea’ what Ransomware is… so, firstly, what is Ransomware? To summarise, Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data ultimately making it impossible to access the data unless you pay a fee, usually in a crypto-currency, to the attacker(s).
Recent attacks & Future predictions-There have been several large scale attacks in the form of ransomware over the last few years. It is interesting to add that any organisation or person can be targeted; no one is safe. You may have heard of the recent WannaCry attack on the NHS. With large organisations like the NHS, as previously mentioned, many would have thought that Ransomware would be highly targeted to decrease the number of attacks. In contrast, the Cisco 2017 Annual CyberSecurity Report says that Ransomware is in fact growing at a yearly rate of 350%.Further reports from various different organisations back up this unpleasant statement. Cybersecurity Ventures, the world’s leading researcher and publisher regarding all things cybersecurity, predicts that cybercrime will cost the world in excess of $6 trillion annually as quickly as 2021. These two reports clearly show that cybercrime and specifically Ransomware is growing at an astronomical rate and definitely not slowing down.
What can you do to protect your business?There are many actions you can take to best protect your business from ransomware. Some key points include:
Back up your files – If your files get encrypted and ultimately deleted, do you have backups?
Don’t overlook email security – Many Ransomware attacks begin through an email. Make sure any suspicious emails are deleted immediately and not clicked nor are they opened to let loose anything within the email.
Install your updates- With Ransomware developing exorbitantly, there will always be new attacker methods that you are susceptible to. Making sure your software is updated will lower the risk of attack, as newer updates have improved measures against developed forms of ransomware.
The above points are vital, but there is much more to do. Sweethaven can help you and your business understand further the dangers of Ransomware and determine the best next steps to take in order to stay as protected as possible from this escalating threat.