Don’t Let Extortion Destroy Your Business

Here’s a challenge; go to any cybersecurity news website and see how far you can go before seeing an article about some new type of ransomware attack. It’s everywhere, and it’s scary, but that doesn’t mean your business has to cower in fear. With the right tools and resources at your disposal, you too can fight back against ransomware. Here’s how you can protect your business from ransomware and the threats it poses.

But First, What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks data with encryption until the victim pays a ransom. Since it first emerged, ransomware has gone through several iterations, each of which have made it more dangerous and difficult to contain. Some variants will simply lock down data, but others will make copies of data, leak the information to the press, or contact the victims directly if the business doesn’t pay up.

As you can imagine, the consequences of a ransomware attack are dire:

  • Downtime: Locked files make it impossible to work, which means that your business suffers from downtime until the situation resolves.
  • Lost trust: Your customers and clients expect you to take good care of their data, and if it’s compromised in a ransomware attack, it could damage your reputation and make it harder to continue doing business.
  • Data loss: There’s no guarantee that you’ll get your data back, even if you pay the ransom. 

The best way to combat ransomware is simple: keep it from infecting your business in the first place.

How to Stop Ransomware in Its Tracks

Simply put, if your business is dealing with a ransomware attack, you’re too late. The only real way to prevent ransomware from damaging your business is to put measures in place to stop it well before it takes root. This means you need a firewall, endpoint protection, and email filtering, as well as comprehensive training for your team.

The ultimate failsafe, however, is to have a comprehensive and tested backup and disaster recovery plan. Unless the ransomware attack is using double or triple extortion tactics, you can simply deploy a backup and dodge paying the ransom entirely.

Are All These Ransomware Protections Worth It?

The problem with ransomware protection is that the benefits and value are mostly invisible. They aren’t seen on a day-to-day basis, and the value is mostly measured by what your business doesn’t experience. This might make you question if the protections are actually worth it and necessary, but to put things in perspective, consider what’s at risk if you don’t have these measures in place and you experience an attack.

Make no mistake—ransomware is out there, and you don’t want to be on the receiving end unprepared. The same goes for just about any other security risk. To help your business stay ahead of the countless threats out there, you need strategies and solutions—both of which are available with White Mountain IT Services on your side.

Learn more about how to protect your business by calling us today at (603) 889-0800.

White Mountain IT

Related Posts

Cover Your Security Bases with These Four Best Practices

Over 25 percent of data breaches target small businesses, and the impact can be huge. To protect your business, you need the right technology and smart strategies. In today’s blog, we go through some key steps to help safeguard your business from digital threats. Use Security Software You’ll want to invest in security tools like firewalls, antivirus programs, and encryption. Keeping these upda...

4 Ways a Managed Service Provider Can Help Your Business

How much does your business rely on technology to keep your organization running forward? As business technology becomes more complex, it’s becoming increasingly popular for organizations to have their own internal IT departments to manage and maintain it. Yet, small businesses don’t often have the necessary funds for such a feat. How can your company afford quality IT service? You can start by pu...

It Pays to Invest in Security Awareness Training… Here’s What to Include

Security awareness training is a critical process for modern businesses to undergo to have any chance of success. Unfortunately, as much as security software or policy can help, it can only do so much. You also need your team members to be on board, knowledgeable about what they need to do, and motivated to do it.  In light of this, let’s talk about security awareness training and what it ne...

Don't Get Hooked: Spotting Phishing Emails Before They Reel You In

From the classic Nigerian Prince emails to the cleverly crafted fake invoice, malicious digital correspondence is a constant threat to a business. It's not just about losing a few bucks, either. A successful phishing attack can cripple your operations, compromise sensitive data, and even lead to your company's demise. So, how do you spot these digital dangers? Here are some of the most obvious ...