With the advancement of technology, data breaches are becoming more prevalent. One type of data breach that is increasingly coming to the forefront is ransomware, which has been around since the late 1980s. Ransomware has exponentially increased in 2017, with major attacks such as the WannaCry worm and the Petya worm. Mobile ransomware alone increased by 250 percent in the first half of 2017. Hackers are increasingly using this form of data breach to break into infrastructures by manipulating vulnerabilities with the help of malicious software and holding the data hostage from its owners until they receive money or other demands.
Large corporations aren’t the only targets. Small and medium-sized businesses, often referred to as SMBs, are on hackers’ radar as well. The results of the State of the Channel Ransomware Report demonstrate the prevalence of ransomware with a focus on SMBs. According to the report, ransomware impacted 5 percent of SMBs in from the second quarter of 2016 to the second quarter of 2017. The report also speculates that SMBs will continue to face these cyberattacks leading into 2019. Ransomware attacks come at a price, too. They average $300 per computer. But SMBs can take action to stay protected. Here’s how.
Learn from examples
While major ransomware focus has been placed on large corporations, SMBs have also experienced major setbacks in 2017. One of the biggest ransomware attacks of 2017 was the WannaCry worm. Hackers were able affect millions of computers by installing backdoors that helped the malicious software exploit vulnerabilities and then demanding a $300 ransom. This might have been prevented had the NSA kept control of its important hacking tools. Ransomware also brought down the Mecklenburg County servers, freezing data access with a demand for $23,000 in bitcoin. Without backed up data or servers, this forced a reliance on paper and pen, halting application processes, deed registrations and even child support payments. Such incidents exemplify why it’s important to take a look at previous ransomware attacks and learn from others’ mistakes.
Know why it happens
Understanding why ransomware is successful helps provide direction for preventing it in the future. Here are some common reasons ransomware succeeds:
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- Inadequate cybersecurity training. The State of the Channel Ransomware Report highlights the lack of knowledge many SMBs have concerning ransomware, as only 38 percent of managed service providers’ SMB clients demonstrated concern about ransomware. Teaching employees about ransomware best practices via cybersecurity training is vital to safeguarding SMBs against these attacks.
- Malicious emails and websites. From workplace emails to social media, hackers’ ransomware is being facilitated through these vulnerable outlets.
- Phishing emails. Some 93 percent of ransomware is spread via phishing emails. That’s why it’s important to avoid suspicious emails.
- Outdated security patches. Without current security patches, SMBs leave their data up for grabs. Implementing various layers of security patches is crucial to reducing ransomware incidents.
- Not enough support. Without adequate support, SMBs are virtually defenseless against hackers who orchestrate ransomware attacks.
Know when to get help
Ransomware attacks are only going to increase, but SMBs can take advantage of information technology companies that understand how mitigate ransomware issues. IT companies help to reduce these incidents by quickly identifying malicious software, applying best practices for keeping infrastructures updated, and testing systems for vulnerabilities.
A team of experts with ransomware attack experience can provide the additional support required to handle cyberattacks. IT companies provide extra eyes for protecting data from cyberattacks, and when SMBs leverage them, they can save time and money in the long run.
Sources:
https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-news/datto-survey-global-ransomware-attacks-against-smbs-soar-in-2017/
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/malware
http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/15/technology/ransomware-wannacry-explainer/index.html
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/ransomware
http://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-why-its-a-really-big-problem-for-small-businesses/
http://www.newsweek.com/ransomware-attacks-rise-250-2017-us-wannacry-614034
http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/27/technology/ransomware-why-keep-happening/index.html
http://www.zdnet.com/pictures/biggest-hacks-leaks-and-data-breaches-2017/12/
https://www.csoonline.com/article/3077434/security/93-of-phishing-emails-are-now-ransomware.html
https://www.wired.com/2016/05/4-ways-protect-ransomware-youre-target/
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https://www.csoonline.com/article/3208111/security/who-is-a-target-for-ransomware-attacks.html
