Tech Tip Tuesday is written and made possible by Computek who has been providing Georgetown and Austin businesses with fast, reliable and secure IT support and services since 2001. Learn more about Computek on their website, Facebook page or Instagram profile.
Small business owners often assume they are too insignificant to be considered a target for ransomware, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Small businesses are often the target of ransomware attacks because they lack the cybersecurity of larger companies.
Additionally, small businesses are also less likely to have disposable income in order to fight a ransomware attack.
60% of small businesses close within 6 months of a cyberattack with the average cost of the attack ranging up to $200,000.
This can be devasting, but thankfully, there are a few things you can do today to protect your business from a ransomware attack. First, let’s take a look into what ransomware is.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of cyber-attack that gains access to your computer and locks down important files or your entire system until a ransom is paid.
Often, funds will be requested in the form of Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency. In the event that the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee the files will be released.
This is why it’s important to put protection in place before a ransomware attack happens.
How to Prevent Ransomware
More than half of ransomware attacks can be attributed to spam or phishing emails.
This means it is imperative to train your employees on the dangers of phishing and how to recognize phishing attempts.
Additionally, secure email with phishing protection can help stop ransomware emails from ever reaching your employees.
Preventative Measures
No business should operate without a solid system for backing up all company data. If you are regularly backing up data to an external source, the threat of ransomware is lowered exponentially.
This means if the hacker does lock your files, you already have them backed up and nothing will be lost. If you need help backing up your company data, reach out to your local IT company for custom solutions.
The Bottom Line
No one wants to fall victim to cyber-attacks, but as technology advances, the risks only increase. Staying proactive and ensuring your company has top-notch cybersecurity is the best way to prevent cyber-attacks such as ransomware.
To find out more about cybersecurity for your business, contact Computek for scalable options and full spectrum coverage.
That’s all for this week, see you next time for Tech Tip Tuesday!
Comments