The Fight Against Ransomware
On Friday, Blacon High School was hit by a ransomware attack. The school was forced to shut on Monday and Tuesday whilst the recovery continued. This was a reminder, if we needed one, that ransomware attacks can strike anyone. Any organisation, large or small, could be a target and we should take the threat seriously.
Ransomware Myths
In today’s connected world, ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated and costly. There are countless examples that have hit the news headlines but many more that go unreported. With cybercriminals constantly evolving their tactics and targeting businesses of all sizes, organisations like yours must proactively safeguard your data and systems. Unfortunately, many companies fall prey to common ransomware myths, which can leave them vulnerable to attacks and unprepared to respond effectively in the event of an incident.
Let’s look at three of the most prevalent ransomware myths and provide the accurate information you need to protect your business. Understanding the realities of ransomware and taking proactive steps against it can mitigate the risk and ensure you’re pro-active about protecting your business data and reputation.
The Most Common Misconceptions
Let’s take a look at the most common misconceptions about ransomware:
If my business has a ransomware attack, I’ll pay the ransom and return to business.
Many businesses believe that paying a ransom is the quickest and easiest way to recover encrypted data. However, that’s just a dangerous assumption. You are relying on criminals, who are deceitful and untrustworthy to keep their word. The average downtime after a ransomware attack is 24 days.
Paying a ransom does not guarantee that the attackers will keep their word and provide the decryption key. Also, paying a ransom only encourages cybercriminals to carry out more attacks in the future. If you pay the ransom, it may take several days to receive the decryption key (if at all) and reverse the encryption.
The best way to protect your business is to have a solid backup strategy and a comprehensive security plan in place.
My backups will get me back up and running if I get hit with ransomware.
While backups are essential to ransomware prevention, it’s a myth that backups will always save the day. Cybercriminals have upgraded their tactics to compromise backup files as part of their attack strategy. Be aware that some ransomware variants identify and destroy backups on the compromised network.
With the rise of double extortion attacks, cybercriminals not only encrypt data but also steal it. This means that even if you have a backup strategy in place, your data may still be at risk if attackers threaten to leak sensitive data unless a ransom is paid.
My antivirus software (or any other security solution) provides complete protection from ransomware attacks.
Antivirus software is essential to a comprehensive defence against ransomware, but it’s not enough. Relying on a single security product to defend against ransomware is a mistake. There’s no single solution to ransomware. However, implementing a defence-in-depth strategy can help your business build the most robust possible defence. Our Business Essentials package is an excellent start point to keep your business secure, it includes; antivirus, Endpoint Detection & Response, endpoint backup, patching, monitoring and support. The multi-layered protection provides prevention, protection, detection, response and recovery.
Protection Partner
While it’s true that no security measure is foolproof, taking proactive steps to secure your data and systems can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a ransomware attack. TST can help ensure your business is well-prepared to fight against ransomware and other cyberthreats. Feel free to reach out to TST for a no-obligation consultation.
To learn more about ransomware criminals and how to defend your business, download our infographic “The Anatomy of a Ransomware Attack.” It’s a valuable resource that can help you increase your basic understanding of ransomware, identify the signs if you’ve fallen victim and prepare you to defend against these attacks.