What is ransomware?

This is the process by which cybercriminals breach your network, encrypt your data to prevent you from accessing it, and then demand a hefty ransom to unlock it. It’s the most expensive and disruptive type of attack you can think of. exceedingly difficult to reverse.

Why is it a big deal?

Ransomware attacks are dramatically up thanks to the pandemic. All the urgent changes that businesses went through last year created a perfect storm, with plenty of new opportunities for cyber criminals.

 

Is my business really at risk?

Thanks to automated tools used by hackers, all businesses are being targeted all the time. In fact hackers prefer to target small businesses, as they typically invest less time and money into preventative security measures compared to large companies.

It’s estimated that a business is infected with ransomware every 14 seconds. And the hackers can demand thousands and thousands of pounds to unlock your data, with no guarantee they will actually comply once you’ve paid.

 

How to prevent ransomware?

Reference: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/ransomware-how-prevent-and-recover-itsap00099