Ransomware steals and holds your data hostage.
For years, ransomware protection and removal has been a large cat-and-mouse game with internet security companies like Symantec, McAfee, and TrendMicro. Unfortunately, cryptolocker, a variant that spread like wildfire in 2014 has resurfaced stronger then ever. Generally, they sneak in to your computer as an email with a file attachment. If you open the file it runs a command which pushes code and steals credentials and locks your files.
How do you protect your business from Ransomware?
Network Medics takes a managed approach similar to airport security. This is because the ransomware cat-and-mouse game requires a layered approach to protect at the different points of communication. Obviously, a keen eye is always good, but at the basic level from a technology perspective:
- Professional-class external SPAM filtering generally can nab the basic viruses as attachments.
- A good firewall tracking activity can stop the download of the malicious files.
- Anti-virus and anti-malware are there to help stop the file from opening.
- A solid professional-class backup with enough retentions from at least 2 weeks previous is paramount for recovery if it makes it through.
This is serious. Ransomware cost the US economy 1 Billion dollars in 2016.
The rise of ransomware means the total cost of damages related to attacks using cryptographic file-locking software could reach over $1 billion in 2017. Hackerpocalypse: A Cybercrime Revelation, suggest that individuals and organizations who feel they have no choice but to pay a fee to unlock their files have lead to the rise of ransomware. It notes how even the law itself isn’t exempt from becoming a victim as even police departments have had to pay a ransom to unlock the encrypted files.
It is important to take every threat seriously, but unfortunately cryptolocker is the King for in my opinion. If you have any questions for us, never hesitate to contact us.
Written by:
Kevin Calgren
Partner of Network Medics
Minnesota Business IT Consultant
Questions about
