by Ben Brown | 09/19/2022
Ransomware is a term that is commonly used in cyber circles these days, but what is a ransomware attack and how you can protect your business from this type of cyber-attack?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on your computer, making them inaccessible to you unless you pay a ransom to the cybercriminals who encrypted them. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common in recent years, as they are an effortless way for cybercriminals to make money as they extort money from victims. Ransomware is typically spread through phishing emails or malicious websites and can infect your computer if you click on a malicious link or attachment.
Once your computer is infected with ransomware, the cybercriminals will usually display a message on your screen demanding a ransom payment in order to decrypt your files. Ransom payments are typically made in cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin so that they cannot be tracked.
A recent addition to the ransomware attack scenario is that attackers will exfiltrate your data before they encrypt your copies of it so that they can not only blackmail you because they have removed your access to your data, but they can also threaten to publish your data on the dark web so your customers will know that you’ve been hacked by them.
This type of cyber-attack can have a serious impact on businesses, as it can lead to data loss, operational downtime and large payments having to be made. Ransomware can also be difficult and expensive to recover from, as you may need to pay the ransom to get your files back or restore them from a backup. In some cases, businesses may not be able to recover their data at all, resulting in permanent data loss.
Ransomware can also damage your company's reputation. When customers find out that you have been the victim of a ransomware attack, they often don’t want to be involved with the company any longer, leading to lost business and customers.
There are several things you can do to protect your business https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cyber-security-guidance-for-business from ransomware attacks. The most important thing is to keep your computer's software up to date, as this will help to patch any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals. You should also have a robust backup strategy in place so that you can restore your data if it is encrypted by ransomware. Finally, you should educate your employees about the dangers of clicking on links and attachments from unknown senders, as this is often how ransomware is spread.
You should also implement network segmentation so that in the event you fall victim to ransomware the impact is restricted to as small a number of your computers or servers as possible. There is a principle known as a presumed compromise where one should work on the assumption that at some point a successful ransomware attack will take place.
If you think your business may be at risk of a cyber-attack, contact a professional IT security company https://ronin-pentest.com/about to assess your vulnerability and help you implement the necessary protections. Ransomware is a serious threat, but it can be prevented with the right precautions.
Ransomware attacks are becoming more and more common, and they can be devastating for businesses. If you're not up to date on your cyber protection, you could be the next victim. Contact us https://ronin-pentest.com/about for more information to ensure that you and your business are protected.
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