Ransomware Protection & Recovery

Ransomware Protection & Recovery

A recent Sophos study of over 5,000 IT managers across 26 countries shows that 51% of organizations have experienced a ransomware attack within the last twelve months. The report, dubbed the State of Ransomware, quantifies the average cost of mitigating the effects of an attack at more than $730,000.

Ransomware is malicious software introduced into your computer systems to block access to files or functionalities until you pay a fee. It encrypts your databases, folders, files, and any other information.

Theoretically, you will receive a decryption code after settling the ransom — and, hopefully, use it to unlock your files. However, this is not always the case; the attackers may continue frustrating you into coughing up more and more bucks. Besides, payment is not an easy process, often done using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency.

They do this to thwart any attempts at tracing them. As many organizations are fast-moving toward a mobile workforce, you have every reason to be wary of ransomware attacks.

Here is a short video on what you need to know about ransomware protection and recovery:

Why Should You Be Concerned About Ransomware?

There is no doubt that ransomware attacks are aggravating in both scope and severity by day. Here are two main reasons why you should take this cyber threat seriously:

• Ransomware Attacks Are Expensive: When the Jackson County, GA, government’s IT systems were infected by Ryuak ransomware, the city paid $400,000 to restore their systems. If it were your business, you’d be counting more losses from downtime and protracted disruptions, in addition to what you have to spend on an entire network security assessment, patches, and sealing of the attacker’s entry points. Ransomware attacks are so costly that most small and medium-sized businesses often close shop within months of experiencing one.
• You Risk Tarnishing Your Public Image: In business, nothing beats a good reputation. Every client or even associate seeks to work with an organization that can guarantee their information’s safety. A successful ransomware attack on your network casts doubt on your aptitude to secure user credentials — which is a pressing concern for modern-day consumers.

What Ransomware Protection & Recovery Measures Do You Need To Take?

1. Do not click links from unknown sources: Bad cyber actors often introduce ransomware into corporate networks using infected links or images. Upon clicking the link, it redirects you to a landing page with the message you’ve been hacked and your files encrypted. Be on the lookout for spelling/grammar errors or excess sense of urgency. Only click embedded links if you’re confident that they’re from trusted sources.
2. Invest in reliable business continuity and recovery plans: Always assume that you will be hacked and barred from accessing your data. Back up your files, both offline and online, at least twice a day. With a proper backup, you can sustain basic operations as you seek a permanent solution in the event of a ransomware attack. It also reduces the pressure to blindly pay the ransom and allows you to make level-headed decisions.
3. Get the best cybersecurity defenses for your systems: These include business-grade firewalls, antimalware and antivirus software, DNS and spam filtering solutions, and any other tools that can block access to malicious sites.
4. Regularly train your staff on ransomware awareness: Most successful cyberattacks are due to staff negligence. Data from Pensar shows that cybersecurity training reduces the chances of hacks and breaches by 70%.
5. Ensure your cybersecurity team knows what they are doing: Many IT service providers claim to be cybersecurity experts, but not all have the requisite knowledge and experience. tca SynerTech has a proven track record of keeping our clients safe from cyber threats like ransomware.

Should You Pay Ransom?

When under an attack, paying the ransom seems to be the easiest way to restore your systems. Most attackers will give timelines after which the ransom fee increases or they completely delete your files.

Do not be fooled — paying the ransom does not make the recovery process simpler or even cheaper. Most reputable cybersecurity authorities, including the FBI, have warned against paying up — it’s like rewarding and encouraging the attackers.

Do not wait until you have to choose between settling a ransom fee or losing your files. Contact tca SynerTech and experience the difference brought about by over 20 years of reliable cybersecurity provision.