There is a belief among many IT departments that getting hit by hackers is just a given – if it hasn’t happened yet, it will. The approach then is to simply plan for how to handle the disaster when it strikes. However, with proper security planning, you can be proactive rather than reactive and significantly reduce the potential for damage.
Ransomware, a type of attack that requires you to pay money (usually Bitcoin) to access files that have been encrypted by cybercriminals, is increasingly hitting companies. Hackers typically use email to lure in their victims, enticing them to click on something malicious – malware.
The ways in which people are lured vary. It can be a message saying software needs to be upgraded or that activation is required on a specific application. Once a link is clicked, the malware enters and important data is encrypted, made useless by the owner of the data until ransom is paid.
How can you protect business? Make it company policy that no one is to click on any link in an email, even if it’s from someone they know. It’s also possible to implement a browser extension that will alert employees about websites that are malicious. Update your security software often, and use a firewall.
Don’t cut costs on your training budget – frequently educate your employees about computer and network security so they will know what to look for. Utilize administrative rights on company computers to keep unauthorized employees from mistakenly introducing something corrupt into your system.
Taking all of these steps can reduce risk, but can’t assure that a hacker won’t slip malware into your system. Not all employees are going to be adept at recognizing something suspicious; this is why you need to backup your data. Data backup should occur on a daily basis. Finding a third party to assist you in backing up at least 90 days’ worth of data and saving several versions of it at an off-site facility is highly recommended.
At Copper State Communications, we know our clients need robust communications solutions with proper security protocols. We have more than 35 years of experience helping our clients secure their businesses. Contact us todayto learn more.
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