Is Your Business Vulnerable Without Ransomware Protection?

gMany agencies and organizations feel like they’re too small or too unimportant to be targeted for a cyberattack. As an agency’s digital presence grows, so does its exposure to damaging cyberattacks. Every business is vulnerable and should be using some type of ransomware protection.

Most recently, more than 20 local government agencies in the state of Texas were targeted by cybercriminals using ransomware. Ransomware attacks are increasing nationwide, with government entities from Baltimore to Atlanta losing operational efficiency due to cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals look for any vulnerability they can exploit to gain access to your files or system via an online vector. Any online-connected equipment with outdated IT security programs, hardware, or software is vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Ransomware Statistics

Ransomware attacks are increasing across all sectors, reflected in the rising number of insurance claims linked to cyberattacks. Large insurer AIG’s data reveals ransomware as the second most common cyber insurance claim, accounting for nearly 26% of claims.

The AIG report showed that a diverse number of sectors reported attacks—from hospitals and healthcare industries to professional services and, of course, government agencies.

Mike Christman, former head of the FBI’s cybercrime unit, notes that cybercriminals target hospitals and governments, knowing they will likely pay ransoms because they can’t afford not to.

How Does Ransomware Work?

An active IT security program, updating hardware and software with critical patches, is essential for maintaining cybersecurity readiness.

Ransomware encrypts affected files to make them inaccessible, and the criminals offer a decryption key in return for the payoff.

Ransomware easily infects systems through email, urging users to download attachments or click on links, facilitating its spread. Some lurks on malicious websites and some even hitches a ride on social media to spread itself to any device connected online. If you’re online, you’re vulnerable to ransomware.

Government Ransomware Protection

Most overnment entities present a unique target for cyberattackers. Government organizations are often resource-strapped and do not allocate sufficient funds to IT security, making them vulnerable targets.

Secondly, governments manage sensitive data and critical infrastructure essential for local, city, state, and national operations, directly impacting the public.

Ransomware Protection & Prevention

To prevent ransomware from crippling your organization, prioritize consistent backups and a robust data disaster recovery plan. Additionally, maintaining an active IT security program that regularly updates hardware and software with critical patches is essential.

It’s ideal to install updates promptly as cybercriminals continually devise new methods to evade IT security measures. Partnering with an IT security provider to identify risks and ensure compliance standards protects your data effectively against potential threats.

Many organizations use managed IT support companies specializing in IT security and cybersecurity consulting services to protect their data as they grow and change.

How to Protect a Business Against Ransomware

Ransomware has rapidly grown into one of the biggest threats to a business’s computers. It encrypts critical files or even a machine’s entire file system. To get them back, the victim has to pay money through an anonymous Internet channel. The amount extorted can run into the thousands of dollars. If you’re careful, though, you can protect your systems from ransomware.

How It Works

The attack usually starts with a phishing email. It tricks the user into running an attachment, which downloads the actual ransomware. It goes to work, and not much later the user sees a screen saying that files have been encrypted and explaining how to pay to get them back.

Some forms of ransomware initially encrypt a few files and demand a comparatively small amount of money. They warn that if you don’t pay immediately, it will make more files unusable and demand more money to restore them. The purpose of this is to rattle you.

Ransomware keeps changing. When security software keeps it out, its creators will change the code to defeat detection and blocking. With so many variants around, you’ll see a lot of different names for them, such as Cryptolocker, Locky, PCLock, and TorrentLocker. It’s hard to keep up with them all, and the people who create them like it that way.

Protection Methods

The most important defense is an up-to-date offline backup. Having a local backup is good, but ransomware will encrypt any attached drives along with the main drive. An offline, remote backup is necessary to stay safe. It needs to stay current to let you repair all the damage of an attack.

Keeping phishing attacks from getting a foothold is nearly as important. Many people will blindly open any attachments they get in email, making them wide open to all kinds of malware. They’ll open fake invoices or reports from people they never heard of. If the attachment asks them to enable macros in Office documents, they will.

Even clever people are sometimes off their guard. Good spam filtering will keep a large portion of phishing mail from reaching users’ inboxes. Being cautious about mail will let people avoid exposing their computers to risk. In general, don’t open attachments that look at all suspicious. If you don’t know the person who sent them, they’re most likely fake.

Executable files are deadly. There’s hardly ever a legitimate reason for someone to send you a file with a .EXE extension. You should configure your email software to refuse to open these. By the way, turn off the “feature” which hides file extensions. Windows hides them by default, but that makes you vulnerable to files in disguise.

Another important protection is security software. Keep it updated to the latest version; it’s a constant race between malware developers and the software that protects you.

Spend as little time as possible logged in to a root or administrative account. If you’re running an ordinary user account, any malware you accidentally run won’t do as much damage. If you’re an administrator, you can create a non-administrative account for your everyday use.

Professional Ransomware Services

Prevention is the best approach. It saves you from facing the choice and guards you against many other risks at the same time. With over 40 years of IT solutions experience, Kelley Create can implement the best ransomware protection techniques for your business.

Our highly-skilled team uses the latest knowledge and tools to provide top-level network protection, keeping you at the cutting edge of cybersecurity.

If your agency feels especially vulnerable to ransomware and needs advice on how to protect your data, get in touch with one of Kelley Create’s consultants today.