Understanding Ransomware

There are many types of cyberthreats lurking on the web, but ransomware is quickly becoming one of the most troublesome. In the last year, we’ve seen several high-profile attacks with far-reaching consequences. Where is this recent rise in ransomware coming from, and how can you protect your company?

The Rise of Ransomware

As you may know, ransomware is a type of malware designed to block access to information until a ransom is paid. The first documented ransomware attack was in 1989, dubbed the PC Cyborg virus. Despite its decades-long existence, ransomware wasn’t widespread until recently. It’s believed that the resurgence of this form of attack is related to the advancement of payment collection options.?

This increase can also be attributed to geopolitical, behavioral, and cybersecurity issues. For example, more businesses are operating on digital infrastructure than ever before. There’s also the fact that far too many companies are failing to implement reliable cybersecurity measures. Finally, there’s been an emergence of ransomware gangs that hide in jurisdictions that can’t be reached by U.S. law enforcement.

Where Are These Attacks Coming From?

Although they don’t account for all ransomware attacks, ransomware gangs are linked to many of the commercial attacks we’ve been seeing as of late. These gangs not only create new ransomware to target corporations, but they also lease their products to anyone willing to pay the price. Since they’re located in areas where they’re protected, there’s not much that can be done to shut them down.?

How To Protect Your Organization

Ransomware is a big problem for business, and it only seems to be getting worse. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t protect your company. There are plenty of steps you can follow to prevent or minimize the effects of a ransomware threat.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim:

• Educate Your Employees: Educate your staff on the dangers of ransomware and other cyberthreats.??
• Train Your Employees: Provide training that allows your employees to use what they’ve learned in a realistic scenario.
• Change the Culture: Create a work culture that encourages following cybersecurity best practices.
• Maintain Communication: Continue to communicate with your staff about cyberthreats and cybersecurity best practices.
• Configure Your Filters: The right filter settings can flag certain file types commonly used to hide ransomware, like .exe and .vbs.
• Create Backups: Frequently back up important information so it can be recovered if a ransomware attack occurs.
• Monitor Your Network: You’re not helpless if a ransomware attack is successful. If you catch it early enough, you can stop the threat before any damage is done. A managed service provider (MSP) can monitor your network 24/7, alert you to suspicious activity, and remove the threat before you notice anything wrong.

Protect Your Network With Liss

The Liss Technologies team is dedicated to the security of your network. We offer a comprehensive list of cybersecurity solutions that can give you peace of mind. Since every business is unique, we tailor these services to meet the exact needs of your organization.

Contact us today to learn more.