Ransomware is One Problem that Leads to Many More

The Simple Fact is that Ransomware Hurts in Many Ways

Let?s walk through what a modern ransomware attack might look like, acknowledging all the ways that the affected business would suffer as a result of the infection.

  • A ransomware attack begins with an attacker reaching out and communicating with an intended victim as part of a phishing attack to gain access to said victim?s device or network.
  • Once the ransomware is in effect, it encrypts all data it has access to, leaving it useless to the user, and that?s if the user isn?t locked out of their systems outright. As a result, productivity is hindered, and potentially eliminated.
  • The attacker may also steal data, putting it up for sale on the Dark Web or using it for other nefarious purposes.
  • The attacker then reaches out to their victim, demanding a ransom before the data will be returned? or, if no payment is received, the data is deleted.
  • Meanwhile, the victim remains unable to operate, suffering downtime with no capability to generate revenue.
  • If the ransom is paid, the victim will be out a significant sum of money, and there?s nothing to guarantee that they?ll get their data back.
  • The victimized business then must wipe their infrastructure to clear out the infection, hopefully having maintained a backup to restore from. Otherwise, they?re effectively starting from scratch.
  • In addition, because the ransomware will have caused downtime for the duration of the event, the interrupted services and potential for stolen data could have easily ruined the business? trust in the community.

Ultimately, even if the infected business does everything right (other than the infection), by maintaining a backup, wiping data and implementing this backup, and maintaining open and clear communication? it may not be enough.

This is Exactly Why You Need to Avoid Ransomware

Ransomware?s impacts are not only costly, but they stick around long after the situation has otherwise been resolved. Preventing it is your best option, but you also need other protections to help defend your business. The backups we?ve already mentioned, user training to help avoid phishing and other methods of infection, and more can all help keep your business?and by extension, your future?safe.

We can help. Reach out to us at (603) 889-0800 to start a conversation.

White Mountain IT

Related Posts

Implementing Bring Your Own Device, Without Bringing Your Own Risks

First, let?s go over what a Bring Your Own Device policy is, and why it has become a popular strategy for modern businesses to implement. Why is a BYOD Strategy a Popular Option for Businesses? Bring Your Own Device is a policy and implementation that enables your team to make use of their personal devices for work purposes, which presents various benefits for both parties. From the employees? p...

Browser Hijacking Attacks are a Serious Threat

Understanding Browser Hijacking Attacks Browser hijacking attacks involve the stealthy installation of malicious software onto a user's web browser. This malware can range from adware and spyware to more sophisticated forms like ransomware and keyloggers. The primary goal of these attacks is to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or disrupt the user's browsing experience. Common Te...

Why You Need a Custom IT Strategy for Your Business

Alignment with Your Business Objectives A custom IT strategy ensures that technology investments and initiatives are aligned with the organization's overall business objectives. It helps IT departments prioritize projects that directly contribute to the company's success. Many of these decisions are based around the acquisition and support of technology and how it aligns to help them achieve thei...

Four Technologies You Can Use to Better Protect Your Data in Transit

Encryption Implementing strong encryption protocols works to secure data during transmission. From a technical point of view: SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) protocols are commonly used to encrypt communication between a user's browser and a website. This added encryption ensures that any information exchanged is secure and cannot be easily intercepted by people looking to...