Ransomware is a threat that happens all too often against businesses and other organizations so that cybercriminals can make a quick buck. In many cases, the victim is forced to pay a ransom in order to regain access to his or her data after it’s been encrypted by malicious software. Since this type of attack is becoming all too common, it’s important that your organization is prepared for it and that you know what to do if you become a target for a ransomware attack.

1. Educate Your Employees

Make sure to explain to your employees what malware will look like that may indicate a potential ransomware attack. They will probably receive an email that has a fictitious link that leads to the ransomware. These emails are considered phishing schemes, and it is important to safeguard against them. Make sure that your employees know exactly what these emails may look like and that they know how to avoid a response.

2. Enhance Security

Make sure that your organization is utilizing security measures in order to defend against all kinds of cyber attacks, including ransomware. If you do not maintain a high standard of security, you run the risk of falling victim to ransomware, especially if you just use antivirus software and nothing else. Make sure that you frequently update your software to ensure it is working its best and all security vulnerabilities are patched. Make sure that your software is set up manually as well so that you can manually turn off the firewall in case an attack comes to your organization as well.

3. Create Backups

You need to regularly create a backup that has secure storage of your organization’s data and your employees’ data. A ransomware attack works best when there is only one copy of the secure data, so when you have a backup, you will face a minimal loss to your organization and a lesser amount of damage. You can even consider software that will backup your data automatically on a regular basis either locally, in a cloud service, or both.

4. Monitor

It is also important to consistently have something or someone who is able to monitor the data at your organization. There are pieces of software that are called SIEM tools that are made to respond automatically to any malware attack that they detect, including ransomware. They will look for unexpected logins or unauthorized file sharing to a data source. They will then respond and make the necessary changes to protect your organization and your employees from the impending attack.

5. Make Patches

Last but not least, your organization needs to have a system in place that can monitor security patches and manage these patches easily. Develop a system that will manage patches, prioritizing those that are in immediate need of an update or a fix so that ransomware does not occur. Make sure to use a patch as soon as it comes available in order to minimize the chances of a successful attack. When the attack comes, the patch can lock your data down so that it remains safe against hackers.

Final Thoughts

Ransomware can cause serious financial damage to your organization if you do not take the necessary precautions to prepare for it and protect against it. Being faced with the choice of losing access to all of your company’s data or paying a ridiculous ransom can be a frightening prospect. By following the steps above, however, you can help keep your data private and to ensure your employees do not give away this information.

Today, the belief persists that Macs, smartphones and tablets are somehow immune to viruses. When these devices do get a virus, the common reaction is that it’s a total rarity. Do you remember the old Mac versus PC ads? They included such claims as “PCs have to deal with viruses, while Macs do not.” While this claim may have been somewhat true at one point, it was never completely true. Read on to find out exactly what the threat is to these groups in terms of viruses and malware, and what you can do about it.

The Truth about Macs and Malware

The claim that Macs never get viruses was once slightly true because Macs represented such a small percentage of market share. This meant computer hackers and malware designers did not see the necessity in targeting that group. But with the rise in Apple market share up to nearly 13%, we have increasingly seen Macs become targeted over time. Malware Labs, the research division behind antivirus software Malwarebytes, recently released a study accounting that 16% of their total threats detected were for Mac malware threats. While this may not seem like a large number, the fact that Macs represent only 13% of market share means that they are now more likely to get a virus than the average computer. While these numbers may be inflated due to the fact that most Apple users do not use any form of antivirus while almost every PC user does, the fact that it is a greater number is still something to be concerned about.

The aforementioned study also showed that the average Mac had 9.8 instances of threats detected, which was nearly twice what Windows computers had. In addition, while the types of threats found on Macs may have been less severe in nature, that does not mean that no action needs to be taken. It is highly recommended that you install antivirus software and, especially for offices and businesses, look into hiring a professional to take a look at your risk, backup your computer and protect your network.

The Dangers of Personal Devices

Even if you or your business do not provide devices for employees, electronic devices are inherently personal and represent a possibility for intrusion into your network. In addition, they tend to have loads of personal information. Take smartphones for example. Until recently, most people did not consider the security implications of failing to take proactive steps to avoid viruses on their mobile devices. In 2019, the number of attacks using mobile software nearly doubled. Some of the biggest tells that a smartphone has malware are random ads, seeing data spikes, unexpected apps opening or batteries draining faster than expected. You can get these viruses through downloading unauthorized apps outside of an official app store, downloading PDFs or other pirated material, or even through the web.

Unlike with computer viruses, however, smartphone viruses are usually not created for profit or to build bot networks. Oftentimes, foreign governments are loading spyware on devices through seemingly innocent apps. The Chinese government has been one of the biggest offenders, but others have as well. And while domestic apps have often raised privacy concerns, these specific new apps can provide back doors for entities that are going to do more with your information than try to sell you things.

Even if there is no foreign government involvement, an infected smartphone represents a huge risk to both businesses and networks. It is highly recommended that you download either a virus or malware scanning app and avoid 3rd party downloads and less than reputable websites, since you potentially may have to purchase a new device if yours has become infected.

More from Your Austin Managed IT Service Providers

Looking for more tips on improving your business’ device and network security? Find more articles like this in our information technology blog, or contact the small business cyber security experts at tekRESCUE. We can help you secure and improve the performance of your devices and the network they share.

Yes yes yes! At tekRESCUE, we have always been big fans of Amazon. While working on a network repair or a malware removal, we often need parts… The sooner the better. We can’t wait for one hour drone delivery!

Check out this article on The Verge:

http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/12/1/5164340/delivery-drones-are-coming-jeff-bezos-previews-half-hour-shipping