Saturday, 27 October 2018 -

Published in Burnt Orange Solutions Saskatoon, Data and Network Security, Fully Managed Computers and Networks

Ransomware Explained by Burnt Orange Solutions

Our Saskatoon IT Tips are from the Trusted professionals at Burnt Orange Solutions. We promise to have a one-hour response time for all your Saskatoon IT support needs. Honesty and respect are important to us. In our latest IT Expert tip Article, we discuss ransomware

Types of Ransomware

While there are currently just a few basic forms of ransomware, cybercrime methodology is constantly evolving. In order to stay effective, hackers work non-stop to find new ways to deploy ransomware

Please keep in mind that our intel on ransomware can quickly become outdated.

Locker Ransomware: This type works by denying access to the infected device. Generally, the scheme involves posing as a member of law enforcement and claiming that the victim has been a party to illegal activity (copyright infringement, illicit photography or media, etc.).

CryptoLocker Ransomware: This type employs a powerful encryption to lock down the victim’s files and data, even if the malware is removed afterward. It usually makes its way to the user’s device through an email attachment that they are tricked into opening.
Crypjoker: This form emerged as recently as January 2016, specifically targeting Windows operating systems to encrypt and lock down the user’s data. As opposed to CryptoLocker, Crypjoker gets to the victim as a PDF file attached to an email.

WannaCry: Released into the wild 12th May 2017, this malware swept around the world bringing down companies large and small. At present patient zero has not been identified which leads security experts to believe it was not spread by email but by open transport ports on computers and firewalls.

As you can see, cybercrime is an ever-present and ever-evolving threat to modern businesses in Saskatoon and elsewhere. Without up-to-date and varied security measures, successful hacks can compromise your customers’ and employees’ sensitive data and harm your systems, resulting in costly downtime and worse. Small businesses like yours should be especially wary of cybercriminals as they often target smaller operations on the assumption that there will be less effective cybersecurity measures in place.

Why Protect Your Business Against Ransomware?

Data loss is a serious risk for modern businesses. Consider any one of the dozens of major corporations that have suffered a data breach; Sony, Ashley Madison, Target, Home Depot, and others have all faced major financial consequences in the wake of a breach. Can you afford to join them? Furthermore, clients rarely continue to work with businesses after they’ve been hacked. Would you expect your current business partners to continue to work with you if they were unsure of their data’s safety?

“The only truly reliable protection against ransomware, cybercrime and human error are managed data backups. By regularly backing up your vital data to secure, off-site locations, you ensure that you have an accessible and available copy in the case of data loss, no matter the cause. “ Gareth McKee, Owner Burnt Orange Solutions, Saskatoon

When developing your ransomware defence, keep these recommendations in mind

Make a considerable investment in a comprehensive backup data recovery solution so that you can restore your data at a moment’s notice when necessary.
Test your backup and cybersecurity measures thoroughly and regularly; create dummy files and then delete them to see how fast they can be restored, or schedule a day to literally unplug your critical systems to find out how long it takes to get online again.

Be sure to make the most of the available resources (both provided online and through expert IT consultants) to ensure that you’re not overlooking vulnerabilities in your IT security methodology.

Here are a few other key steps you can take to protect your business:

Employ email filtering, encryption, and continuity solutions to ensure that your lines of communication are secured.

Equip your business with industry-tested security solutions like firewalls, antivirus, antimalware and network monitors to keep your systems safe from external threats.
Make sure your software and browsers are updated and patched on a regular basis.
Train your employees in best practices for safe browsing and email conduct so that they don’t click the wrong link or download the wrong file.

Seems like a lot, right?

That can be a lot to handle for a business owner like yourself. You have clients to see to, employees to manage and more on your plate every single day; should you really be expected to also oversee regular maintenance of your cybersecurity all on your own?

OF COURSE NOT!!

The best way to ensure that your business is kept safe is by outsourcing your cybersecurity management to a reliable and experienced Managed Services Provider like {company} For an easily budgeted monthly flat rate, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business is safe from the whatever modern cybercriminals may throw at it.

Don’t leave your business at risk any longer. To protect your data against ransomware, contact Burnt Orange Solutions.

We hope this article gave you some insight. If you want to ensure your business’s IT security, contact the Trusted Saskatoon IT professionals at Burnt Orange Solutions and we can take IT worries off your plate.

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