Ransomware : Steps to Protect Yourself
Ransomware : Steps to Protect Yourself
“There are two types of organizations now: those who have been breached and those who have been breached but [don’t] know it yet. ”
From a survey conducted with 1,263 companies, 80% of victims who submitted a ransom payment experienced another attack soon after, and 46% got access to their data but most of it was corrupted. (Cybereason, 2021)
Additionally, 60% of survey respondents experienced revenue loss and 53% stated their brands were damaged as a result. (Cybereason, 2021)
Ransomware was again recently ranked as the most prominent cyber threat. 97% of organizations were breached according to one study with average damages exceeding $ 500,000.00. The following resources are provided to help you not be a victim.
Understanding the Attack
Ransomware is a form of malicious software that infiltrates a computer or network and limits or restricts access to critical data by encrypting files until a ransom is paid.
Fast Facts
- Most prominent threat
- Malicious emails are up 600% due to COVID-19
- Cost : 2021 = $200k average infection cost (up from 2018 = $5k )
- Every 11 seconds a new victim is infected
- 29% of organizations infected are forced to remove jobs
Steps to Protect Yourself
- Understand Risks and Business Impact
- Use Cloud-Native secure eMail
- Use 2 Factor Authentication for all users
Free from Microsoft, Google - Backups daily – the life raft when it happens
- Update the latest browser & enable Safe Browsing
- AntiVirus
- Use Complex Passwords
- Update all devices & Keep current
- Do not allow the download of free software or drivers
- Review Cyber Insurance Coverage
- Start cyber awareness training (free)
- Incident Response and Notification Policy
Additional Resources
Newsweek : Your Money or Your Data: Ransomware Viruses Reach Epidemic Proportions