Ransomware: 1 E-mail Could Be Your Worst Nightmare

In 2017 alone the number of global ransomware attacks increased by 350% from the previous year and affected businesses of all sizes in all sectors. On average a single ransomware attack can cost a small to midsize business up to $99,000. Ransomware is essentially an infection sent via email that can encrypt files and documents on your network corrupting your data, taking over your network, and keeping you from accessing your files. These tech infections can even spread to files stored in Cloud repositories.

How do you know if you’ve been infected? Typically, a screen will pop on the infected computer and say something along the lines of “Your files have been encrypted. To release your files, you must pay $X (several hundred to often thousands of dollars) by a specified deadline or your files will deleted. This kind of attack can be very costly, not only because of the ransom price, but also because of the downtime of the businesses regular operations.

The three most common ways to become infected with ransomware are as follows:

1. Email attachments– These account for approximately 88% of the ransomware attacks. Phishing emails contain infected attachments such as a PDF or Word document. When the user opens the attachment, it can automatically run a small software program embedded in the document. This program installs the ransomware.
2. Email links– The email contains a link for another website and when a user clicks on the link it takes them to a website that contains the actual ransomware without the user being aware.
3. Infected Websites– Any website infected with malware can infect another system. So simply browsing and clicking on an infected website can lead to a ransomware infection in your businesses system.

While cybercrimes continue to grow and develop, there are some ways to defend against possible ransomware attacks.

• Patches– Ransomware programs use flaws in existing software to automatically install and infect your system. A managed IT service ensures your entire infrastructure and IT network is up-to-date with patches and updates to all utilized software, thereby reducing the points of entry for a ransomware attack.
• Email Management– The top source of ransomware delivery is via phishing emails. Managed IT services manage your email system and are able to monitor your email system and help prevent delivery of suspect emails and attachments.
• Anti-malware tools– Managed IT services offer state-of-the-art anti-malware software that can prevent the installation of malware.
• Backup and disaster recovery– Managed IT services provide options for backup and recovery in the event the worst case happens, and your system is attacked by ransomware.

Unfortunately, the increase in ransomware still continues. The third quarter of 2018 saw an increase of another 55%. To protect your business, staying on top of your IT Security is a top priority. To keep your business in good working order, contact Technologous for information on their Managed IT Security packages and take the worry of Ransomware out of your everyday.

Technologous is pleased to offer their Managed IT Services to help you by offering businesses of all sizes the IT solutions needed to grow and flourish. To learn more about Technologous and our different levels of Managed IT support, call us at 979-217-1226 or contact us for more information. Our business is ensuring your business runs without any glitches while keeping your tech secured and easily managed. We specialize in supporting you.