Ransomware hits towns across the US!

Ransomware attacks have increased across the world. Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, designed to deny access to your computer until a ransom is paid. Ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails or by unknowingly visiting an infected website.
Ransomware can be devastating to an individual or company. Anyone with important data on their computer or network is at risk, including government or law enforcement agencies and healthcare systems. Recovery can be a difficult process that may require the services of a data recovery specialist. Some victims pay to recover their files. However, there is no guarantee that individuals will recover their files if they pay the ransom.
Precautions to protect against ransomware:

• Update software and operating systems with the latest patches. Outdated applications and operating systems are the target of most attacks.
• Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
• Backup data on a regular basis. Keep it on a separate device and store it offline.
• Follow safe practices when browsing the Internet.

In addition, companies should employ the following best practices:

• Restrict users' permissions to install and run software applications, and apply the principle of "least privilege" to all systems and services. Restricting these privileges may prevent malware from running or limit its capability to spread through a network.
• Use application whitelisting to allow only approved programs to run on a network.
• Enable strong spam filters to prevent phishing emails from reaching the end users and authenticate inbound email to prevent email spoofing.
• Scan all incoming and outgoing emails to detect threats and filter executable files from reaching end users.
• Configure firewalls to block access to known malicious IP addresses.

Get protected! Don't become a victim of ransomware which locks your files behind a cryptolocker!

READ WSJ ARTICLE HERE

Being hit with a cryptolocker is no joke! You must pay a large fee in order to get your files back but even then there is no guarantee! Call QCS to get protected!