Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is nasty, getting worse and not going away soon. In fact, these are key takeaways from a recent cyber insurance claims report:
- Ransomware is becoming complex. The number of incidents has been increasing by an estimated 47% from quarter to quarter.
- Ransom demands are on the rise. Claims now range from $1,000 to $2,000,000 per incident.
- Healthcare and finance are prime targets, but no one is safe. Small organizations are also at risk.
Know how a ransomware attack happens to be best prepared
Ransomware attacks are not just random events. They target specific companies. When a business falls victim to a ransomware attack, a criminal has already done research on the organization and found weaknesses. They then abuse those weaknesses and force the company to send them money. And they will not go away quietly!
Once cybercriminals pick their target, they usually launch an "advanced persistent threat." They will send multiple attacks using advanced tools, often over days or weeks. They will search various parts of your business and test any weaknesses they find.
If they see an opening, they will use a blend of ransomware to enter your network and plant "bots" wherever they can. Then they probe undetected while they look for the best data to steal.
An important takeaway: You and your IT department may be unaware you are a target until an attack is underway.
You may only know for sure when you get an email demanding a ransom. The intruder will send proof they have entered your network, downloaded a copy of your data, and encrypted your original data (if it still exists).
How do you remove ransomware from your system?
By the time you discover you have ransomware, you have only a few choices:
- Fix the problem. Isolate the infected systems from your network. Do not shut them down. Have an IT security expert find the issues, correct them, and remove all the ransomware parts. Restart your systems and restore your data from a clean backup copy.
- Pay the ransom. Even if you pay though, the crooks still may not unlock your data. They could just sell it on the dark web.
Ransomware prevention is key.
A good prevention program has many parts. These practices are not only good for security hygiene, but they also enhance your IT network’s performance, reliability, and resilience.
Benefit from having one of our security experts help develop the right ransomware prevention program for your company.
Here are the main parts of a prevention program:
Over the years, Cisco's investments in Meraki have made the service more powerful and versatile, increasing its popularity dramatically.
If you want to harness the power of Cisco Meraki for your business, consider partnering with us for your Cisco Meraki support and consulting needs. Although Meraki is easy to use, you will still need to install Wi-Fi access points and similar hardware to make full use of it, which can be tricky.
OrlanTech can help you get Cisco Meraki set up and running smoothly in your organization. To learn more, contact us to speak with a Cisco Meraki consultant.
OrlanTech can help.
Our security experts can help with emergency recovery and craft a multilayered defense against future problems.
Turn to OrlanTech for IT security services in the Orlando, FL area. Contact us today for unmatched excellence in IT support and assurance that your systems are efficient and secure.
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