Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious software) that prevents you from being able to access your data until you pay a ransom.
It can come in through emails, infected ads on websites, and other sources.
Only 4% of organisations say they are “very confident” of their ability to protect themselves against ransomware attacks. Which means that 96% are not so confident. What about your business?
54% of UK companies have already been hit by ransomware of one kind or another, with ransoms of hundreds or even thousands of pounds being demanded.
What can you do to protect your business?
Train your staff
Ransomware exploits a company’s weakest link: their employees. 76% of UK adults don’t know what ransomware is, so unless you make sure that your staff are adequately educated, you are at significant risk. Best practices should include:
- Scrutinising links contained in emails and not opening attachments included in unsolicited emails.
- Only download software – especially free software – from sites you know and trust. When possible, verify the integrity of the software through a digital signature prior to execution.
- Invest in training for staff so that they are aware of how ransomware works (including phishing). See the staff training modules we provide.
Secure your IT
Your IT provision should include up-to-date versions of operating system, software and firmware, automatically updating anti-virus and anti-malware solutions.
Backup
Finally, if the worst does happen, you need to be able to recover your data – put a Disaster Recovery Plan in place. This should include backing up all your important data, replicating your backups off-site in case a disaster happens on-site (fire, theft, flood etc), testing to make sure the plan works and recovery is going to be successful every time, on time.
For more information on anything you’ve read here, don’t hesitate to call us today. We can provide online, interactive staff training, solid IT security and support, and various backup solutions, so if you want to know more about how we could help your business, again give us a call on 0114 287 0510.