In the news, we have all heard of well-known Albuquerque and Santa Fe businesses attacked by ransomware. This threat can target our own small to medium-sized businesses.
Imagine this: You are working in your office and your business is hit with a ransomware attack! Your data is locked or encrypted by cyber criminals, and they charge you a large ransom fee for you to get that data back.
What if you can’t afford this fee?
They hear you, and present you with two options that you may take instead:
- Make a payment to delay the release of your stolen data, or
- Make a payment to have your stolen data erased before it’s released to the public.
If you aren’t stressed out enough, these criminals have more tricks up their sleeve to put the pressure on; countdown timers, view counters, and tags that reveal your identity.
These tactics are used to make you feel like you have no other choice, and that you need to pay their ransom, but wait!
Before you do that, paying the ransomware demand will lead to more negative consequences than you think.
- It does not guarantee that you will get your data back, or that you won’t receive more demands in the future.
- You are proving to the criminals that their tactics work, and they will look for more victims.
What can you do to prevent these ransomware attacks from happening to your business?
- Regularly backup your data. This way you have it on the backend, if attacked.
- Provide Cybersecurity Training for your staff. This will help them understand the risks of ransomware and recognize threats, such as phishing emails and suspicious links.
- Strengthen your defenses by investing in cybersecurity software, regularly updating it to stay ahead of evolving digital threats.
- Routinely update your systems and software with the latest security patches, minimizing the risk of exploitation.
- Prepare for unforeseen events by creating a well-defined incident response plan, providing a clear roadmap for action during a ransomware attack.
According to Chainalysis.com, “Ransomware payments in 2023 surpassed the $1 billion mark, the highest number ever observed.”
To better protect you and your business from becoming a victim, take the preemptive steps outlined above to fortify and ensure your security.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our Zia Networks team, we can help you with those steps.
