What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a malware that can lock a computer screen, operating system, or files. It is done with the intentions to make you pay to get access back to your computer. In the age of AI and 5G, threat actors can now permeate your system much more quickly while using AI to imitate executives and so on.
How does it work?
Ransomware works by getting onto your computer through being hacked or downloading files that have the virus embedded inside. These viruses then allow the hacker/hijacker access to your computer and data.
What does it do?
Screen-locking malware prevents you from using your computer, while encrypting ransomware locks your data and information.
Why is it so dangerous?
Ransomware is so dangerous because it can access - and lock - all of your data (and your customers’ and coworkers), whether it be personal or business. It also prevents you from using or viewing your data. For some entities, it could put an end to business as usual until the ransomware is paid. For instance, government institutions just can’t afford to have their data halted even for a second.
How did I get infected?
You can get infected with ransomware from opening fraudulent emails, through USB drives accessing your systems, by visiting sketchy websites, by answering and taking scamming phone calls, by giving out your password/credentials to a cyber criminal by mistake, etc...
When you get infected, what do you do?
- Contact your IT company as soon as possible.
- Find the infected computer and shut it down immediately.
- Remove any cables, webcams, printers, scanners, etc...
- Try a malware removal tool.
- Assess the damage and determine what information has been compromised.
- Look for recent backups and try to your restore files.
- Contact the local authorities.
- Reach out to your business insurance carrier to let them know of the network infiltration.
- Contact your legal team and inform them that sensitive data has been compromised.
- Create a plan to inform your customers and clients that their data may have been breached.
- Failure to inform them may lead to astronomical fines from regulations and open the potential for your customers to take legal recourse.
- Be prepared for anger and disappointment from customers and clients.
- They may also terminate any business dealings with your company.
- It can also end vendor relationships.
- If you’re faced with a last resort scenario, you may have to pay the ransom to retrieve your information. Although, the FBI recommends that victims never pay the ransom as this may only serve to encourage threat actors.
Reach out to us and see how we can help and ensure that your network is protected and running at full strength. Please make sure you have your Windows 10 and Cyber Security upgrades completed by now! Call us at 201-402-1900 or email us at sales@krsit.com