Why most businesses are not ready for cyberattacks
Cybersecurity is a major concern for many businesses, and rightfully so. With the increase in ransomware attacks and cyberattacks on companies, it’s important to know what steps you can take to protect your company from cybersecurity threats. This blog post will discuss the importance of cybersecurity awareness and preparation and offer specific advice on preparing your business for a security threats.
In today’s digital world, most businesses have to deal with a number of security threats daily. Ranging from malware and phishing scams to sophisticated zero-day attacks, the risks that cybercriminals pose are evolving at an unprecedented rate. Yet, many companies still fail to adequately protect their networks and data because they’re not aware of how vulnerable they are or what steps need to be taken to mitigate those risks.
The average cost of a cyberattack is $18.95 million, and the most severe cyber security attacks can cause over $120 billion in damages. In the last few years, we have seen ransomware attacks skyrocket, and cyber-attackers have become more sophisticated in their tactics. The result is that most businesses are not ready to protect themselves from a cybersecurity attack.
How do ransomware attacks work?
Ransomware attacks are an all too common cyberattack that can happen to any business. By understanding how ransomware works, you’ll be better prepared and protect your data if an unfortunate event ever happens.
Ransomware is a malware program that infects computers by locking up or encrypting files on the system until certain demands have been met. The most popular method of ransomware today is through emails with attachments and links contained in spam messages sent over social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Many don’t know about this cyber security attack type because it’s not always limited to only shutting down access from one computer; they often spread across networks very quickly.
How does ransomware get on your computer?
Ransomware is a type of malware that takes over your computer and then locks it up, preventing any use. This happens when the ransomware encrypts data on your hard drive or other devices where you store information – for instance if you’re using an external hard drive to back up photos from your phone. The encryption makes all those files unreadable so no one can use them but the cybercriminal who made them.
Once infected with ransomware, victims are generally asked to pay ransom in cryptocurrency like Bitcoin to get their files back though some forms of ransomware threaten not just private documents but also business operations while others do both at once.
Why is ransomware dangerous?
It is dangerous because when cybercriminals get ahold of your files, they may exploit them to steal or destroy data for ransom. It is important to be prepared before it strikes.
Ransomware can come in many forms, such as encrypting your files and asking for money to decrypt them or locking you out of your computer with a message that requires ransom payments to get access back. Sophisticated security attacks are more dangerous because they may infiltrate the networks around your business by posing as email attachments or malicious links from social media sites like Facebook.
It’s not enough to protect against malware installed on each device; businesses need protection at all points where their devices interact with customers. Some popular examples of this include: routers, firewalls, DNS servers (Domain Name Servers) – these are often targets for ransomware attacks.
Can ransomware be removed?
Most ransomware can be removed, but the process is often difficult and time-consuming. IT departments should keep a watchful eye on their network to ensure that they are always able to respond in the event of a cyber attack quickly. Fortunately, hackers usually provide instructions for how victims could remove the virus themselves if they paid the ransom. It’s not recommended because there have been cases where this method backfired: some malware has locked users out of their computers even after paying up!
The good news is that your business can take steps to prepare for and protect against cybersecurity threats.
The first step in protecting your company is understanding the types of attacks out there and what they entail- this includes things like phishing scams, ransomware, DDoS attacks, and more. It’s also important to understand how these will affect your company on a tactical level- such as data loss or being locked out of systems after an attack- which will help you determine what kind of security measures need to be put into place.
Preventing ransomware: use Cloud Backup to store essential files securely offsite; also sync important information on devices, so it’s backed up at all times.
Protect your business against malware with an antivirus program or anti-malware software like Cynet 360. It detects malicious apps before they have time to do any damage, saving you from having to pay money to recover your data after an attack has taken place.
Educate yourself and your employees on how to avoid phishing scams – these are emails or websites that look like they’re from reputable companies but contain malicious links designed to steal personal information.
Protect your company’s reputation. An unprepared business is more susceptible to cyberattacks, leading to significant financial losses and the destruction of customer trust.
You need cybersecurity solutions that will help you stay informed on the latest security threats, detect any malicious activity before it has a chance to do damage, and keep data safe from ransomware attacks. If you haven’t yet developed ways of protecting yourself against malware or other cyber threats, now is the time!
To find out how ready your business is for an attack:
- Identify what type of security measures are in place (or not).
- Consider investing in cloud backup services, so employees don’t have easy access to sensitive information.
- Ensure they’re trained in handling the main types of cyberattacks like phishing emails, spearphishes, fake ads, or malicious links in social media messages.
It’s also important to create cybersecurity plans that will help you and your employees identify a cyberattack and take appropriate measures before any data is lost.
Fortunately, there are now plenty of online resources—like this article!—that can provide information on what steps you need to take to stay safe. These days it just makes sense to invest some time and money into developing safeguards for your business. It’ll be worth it when an attack does happen (and they’re bound to!). After all: prevention is better than cure!
Are you confident that the systems you have in place are configured correctly to detect and respond against a ransomware attack?
Cymulate’s Immediate Threat Intelligence vector is designed to inform and evaluate your organization’s security posture as quickly as possible against the latest cyber-attacks. The Cymulate Research Lab created the simulation, which catches and analyzes threats immediately after cybercriminals and malicious hackers launch them.
By running this breach and attack simulation, you can validate within a short time if your organization would be vulnerable to these latest threats and take measures before an attack occurs.
ChatFortress has created the Business Cybersecurity System to help protect companies big and small. The Business Cybersecurity System provides you with complete protection based on your needs and business goals.
About ChatFortress:
ChatFortress is a leading cybersecurity company helping business owners protect their assets from cybercriminals. ChatFortress is the creator of the Cybersecurity Report Card, the only external security assessment that validates 3rd party risk. We provide companies with access to the latest technologies, social engineering and human behavioral strategies, and user education to create a proactive cybersecurity culture. Helping you fortify your business against cyberattacks.