Your Data is Being Held Hostage! Surviving a Ransom Attack

The start of a workday is often the same as it is on any other day. Maybe you stop for a coffee or listen to some music on your way to work. Only today, when you go to log on to your business network, your desktop imagery is replaced by a full-screen warning:

“ACCESS DENIED!!!
YOUR FILES WILL BE ENCRYPTED UNTIL THE RANSOM IS PAID!”

Your SMB has been the victim of a ransomware attack. What’s worse is there is a built-in time limit for responding to the ransom request. As a deadline expires and the ransom goes unpaid, the ransom amount can double or triple, or it can be whatever the cyber attacker wants.

Ransomware attacks via email have more than doubled in the past two years. Large and small businesses worldwide have fallen victim to such attacks as hackers continue to improve their ransomware attack strategies. Additionally, the recent increase in remote access work has given hackers many more endpoints through which they can launch attacks.

How Does Ransomware Work?

There are two basic types of ransomware attacks, Crypto and Locker. Crypto ransomware targets a company’s most important files and encrypts them so they cannot be read. Locker ransomware targets your devices and locks you out of them so you cannot access your files. In both cases, cybercriminals ask for a ransom to be paid before decrypting your data or unlocking your devices.

How to Avoid Ransomware Attacks

The most common ransomware attacks occur when the unsuspecting victim opens malware-infected attachments in emails or clicks on embedded links. The best way to spot and avoid email-driven ransomware attacks is to diligently check the identity of the “Sender” of all emails and always think before you click. Also, it is important never to accept a request to “Enable macros” as you will only be assisting cybercriminals in speeding up the delivery of their malware throughout your network.

Teaching your employees cyber security best practices is an integral part of an overall cyber protection plan. Everyone must be on the same page and consistently follow all cyber security protocols. The old saying “all it takes is one weak link” certainly applies in this instance.

How Can You Remove Ransomware?

Unfortunately, if your company falls victim to a ransomware attack, there is no quick fix. However, several urgent steps must be taken:

• Disconnect the Attacked Computer from your network and any other devices or drives
• Take a Clear Photo of the Ransom Note to file with police or insurance reports.
• Lock Down Your Network
• Attempt to Determine What Malware Was Used
• Create a Damage Report that is a comprehensive list and assessment of what files and or devices have been infected
• Report the Attack to Local Police. You must file a police report of the attack as soon as possible. They might refer you to a cybercrimes division that specializes in finding hackers.
• Action is Everything
  • Time is of the essence, especially if the ransom amount is increasing.
  • Try Decryption Tools. We must emphasize the word “Try.” Remember, the clock is ticking.
  • Erase Your System and Reinstall From Backups. If your backups are “clean,” you might try the last-ditch approach of erasing your system and all your data and restoring it all from a backup.

Many SMB owners don’t realize that an attack on their system is an attack on their clients and customers. High compliance companies, required by law to protect their clientele's private and financial data, must take whatever cyber security steps are necessary to protect that data. Therefore, you must act as quickly and effectively as possible. Your business’s reputation is on the line. Also, depending on the exposure and depth of a ransomware attack, companies might be exposed to subsequent legal challenges and expenses.

Small to midsized businesses cannot afford to ignore cyber threat protection. It is essential for safely doing business and protecting your hard-earned business data. As the growing tech world and our use of online technology now encompass so many areas of our personal and business lives, cybercriminals continue to stay in step and find new ways to attack private and business data. Smaller businesses have neither the time nor the budget for a full-time IT department. Therefore, it is essential to employ IT experts to provide a Vulnerability Assessment to assess your cyber vulnerability and help you design the best layers of protection for your hard-earned business data.

DIGIGUARD Cyber Security Provides Comprehensive Ransomware Services

DIGIGUARD, a small business IT company specializing in preventing cyber threats of all kinds, has a wide array of solutions to protect against cybercrimes and ensure you have the best possible protection. It works with small and midsized businesses to provide cyber risk training and establish cyber security best practices to ensure your confidential data is secure. In addition, DIGIGUARD locks down your devices, making sure they have the specific protections they require, especially those used for remote-access work. For any business, cyberattacks can have devastating consequences. DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber risks and work with you to design Zero Trust architecture and all the best protection solutions for your business.

Call DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) and visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss how you can increase your company’s level of cyber security and avoid a costly and potentially deadly ransomware attack.