How to Avoid Ransomware Attack

The Internet has significantly transformed people's lives, but ransomware attacks have made it a dangerous place. Today, cybercriminals have devised new strategies to execute cybercrimes. Ransomware, which refers to malicious software that locks your computer and hinders you from accessing your data until you pay a ransom, has become a significant threat to information stored on personal or organizational computer systems. Over 200 000 individuals have become cyberattack victims in the last few years, and the numbers continue to rise.

However, the following tips will help you protect your mobile devices from malware infection:

1. Ensure your operating system and software are always updated

The best way to avoid malware infection is to keep your operating system updated. Running updates helps you ensure that you benefit from the latest security patches and inhibits cybercriminals from exploiting your software's vulnerabilities.

2. Back up your data

Saving your essential data on a separate system reduces your chances of becoming a ransomware attack victim. Ensure you copy your crucial data on an external hard drive or cloud service and make sure you do not leave it connected to your computer when not in use. In case your hard drive is plugged in when your computer gets infected, the attackers will also encrypt the data.

3. Never download email attachments from unknown senders

Ransomware can get into your mobile device through email attachments. Never open email attachments from untrustworthy senders. Check who sent you the email and confirm whether the address exists. If you cannot tell whether the attachment is genuine or not, contact the sender and double-check. Besides, do not open attachments that ask you to open macros to view them. If the attachment contains malware, it will run the malicious macro once you open it, giving the attackers control over your device.

4. Only download from verified sites

To reduce the chances of infecting your computer with malware, never download media files or applications from unknown sites. Always visit verified websites when you need to download something. Many reputable websites have markers that you can easily recognize. If you want to download a file on your phone, ensure you download from trusted sources, such as Google Play Store for Android users and Apple Store for iPhone users.

5. Install security software

While cybercriminals are becoming more skilled in executing cyber-attacks, installing security software will help you protect your computer against malware infection. When you stream or download files, the software blocks infected files, preventing malware from infecting your computer.

As the number of more sophisticated devices increases, it becomes difficult to keep them all safe. However, the practices mentioned practices would help you avoid ransomware attacks.

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Working from Home? Here Are 6 Things You Should Know

Statistics indicate that approximately 60% of employees in the United States are working from home due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This has created problems for employers due to the increase in cyberattacks.

With businesses rapidly deploying remote systems and networks to support employees working from home, hackers are taking advantage of increased security vulnerability to steal data, generate profiles, and cause disruptions. Fortunately, the following cybersecurity tips could help keep data and your devices safe while you work from home.

1. Invest in a High-rated Antivirus Software

This is the simplest but one of the most effective cybersecurity tips to secure your data and devices against cyberattacks while you work from home. A comprehensive antivirus offers automatic remote working security against threats, such as:

Malware
Trojans and Worms
DDoS attacks
Phishing scams
Zero-day attacks
Spyware
Computer viruses

Additionally, investing in a comprehensive antivirus protects you from online threats and automatically updates itself to protect you against new and emerging threats.

2. Install the Latest Software Updates

Software updates help fix cybersecurity flaws and enable you to safeguard your data and devices. Therefore, it is important to update software whenever you are alerted about new features update.

3. Ensure Your Company VPN is Strong

Many company policies require employees to connect their network through a virtual private network (VPN). This system secures information transmitted between the employee and the company through data encryption, limiting unauthorized third-party intruders to intercept sensitive data, such as financial records and customer information.

You can also increase the cybersecurity of your VPN through:

Regularly update your passwords
Using the strongest possible authentication method
Limit using public Wi-Fi, unless logged in through VPN
Ensure you log in through a secure channel

4. Secure Your Home Wireless Network

Strengthening the security of your home Wi-Fi network reduces the chances of facing threats and interruptions from cybercrooks. You can increase the security of your home wireless network by:

Creating a strong and unique password
Enable network encryption
Update your firmware, such as the latest security version
Change the name of your wireless network
Limit access to certain MAC addresses

5. When Working from Home Ensure Your Email is Secure

Email is the primary communication channel for many organizations. However, it is one of the easiest means of communication to exploit. When using emails, ensure the following:

Use a strong email password
Be aware of phishing attacks
Access emails through a secured VPN network.

6. Trust the Professionals

This article has been FULL of information. If you have any questions or want to make sure that you're covered while working from home, don't be afraid to give us a call! We're here to help and we've got you covered.

5 Critical Ways Data Backups Could Save Your Business

Data backup is not something that most people consider to be important. Think of it as an insurance policy for everything your business needs to survive. We actually offer data backups as a service, but their importance is often overlooked. Here are the top five reasons you should use a backup copy.

#1: Audits, Archives, and Taxes

Many businesses keep financial records for long periods. Usually, it's for regulations and tax purposes. Assuming your computer has you covered is a huge mistake. You should always have more than one copy. Having an offsite backup of information is essential and can save your hide if something goes wrong. The IRS has never cared if companies had disasters. They'll think you're not compliant and fine you.

#2: It's A Simple Recovery

Quite often, people make mistakes. Humans are not infallible. Every day people open emails with viruses accidentally, and important files get deleted. If you take incremental snapshots before a virus happens, you can restore them to a snapshot. If a file gets deleted, you can perform recovery from before the deletion occurred. You can prepare for the little things that happen with added protection, as well as big things.

#3: You Won't Have To Do Work Twice

The most important rule to working is to do it right the first time. Even suffering a minor failure can cause massive disasters. Without backups, you may be able to recover some information, but you'll never know what it will be. Projects you've been working on for months just vanish into thin air. Even worse, a significant loss could have you doing all of your work over.

#4: There Are Competitive Advantages

Backing your data up always has its competitive advantages. The first business back running after a disaster takes all the business of those companies still down. Depending on how critical the disaster is could mean the doors to your business never open again. FEMA asserts that nearly 40 percent of small businesses fail to reopen after being hit by a natural disaster. Having a plan will keep your doors open for clients who left companies that didn't survive the data disaster.

#5: Prevent Deadly Downtime

A study was conducted in 2017 by the University of Texas that showed that 43% of businesses suffering significant data loss never recovered. Those are very high numbers. Within two years of a major loss, most of these companies close their doors. Large information losses don't always result in disaster. Humans can destroy businesses by oversights and mistakes. Having a data backup plan mitigates threats. Thinking ahead helps cushion the fall of a vast threat.