Staying secure against ransomware isn’t just about having the latest security solutions. People are invariably the weakest link in cyber security, with human error causing 90% of cyber data breaches in 2019 according to government figures, and cybercriminals are experts at exploiting normal human behaviours for their own personal gain. Therefore, good IT security practises are essential components of every organisation’s security setup.
As part of eacs cyber security month, below we’ve listed 5 simple steps every business can take to help protect themselves against breaches in their security defences.
Thirty years on from the world’s first cyber ransomware attack, cybercriminals continue holding organizations hostage, maliciously encrypting their files and demanding hefty ransoms for the safe return of the data. Indeed, while headlines come and go, ransomware remains stronger than ever, with six- and seven-figure ransom demands now commonplace.
This paper explores the reasons behind ransomware’s longevity, including the factors that have enabled it to get faster, smarter, and deadlier over the years, and what we must learn from this history if we are to minimize our risk of attack in the future.
Stories of organizations crippled by ransomware regularly dominate the IT news headlines, and accounts of six- and seven-figure ransom demands are commonplace. But do the news stories tell the full story?
To understand the reality behind the headlines, Sophos commissioned an independent survey of 5,000 IT managers across 26 countries. The findings provide brand new insight into what actually happens once ransomware hits. It reveals the percentage of attacks that successfully encrypt data; how many victims pay the ransom; how paying the ransom impacts the overall clean-up costs; and the role of cybersecurity insurance. Be prepared to be surprised.
Despite rumours of its demise, ransomware continues to be one of the top cyber threats facing organizations, with 30% admitting to have been victimized in the past1. It is therefore critical that you have advanced protection technologies in place to keep your organization secure.
Businesses large and small are under threat from increasingly aggressive and brutal ransomware attacks. Loss of access to critical files, followed by a demand for payment, can cause massive disruption to an organization’s productivity.
But what does a typical attack look like? And what security solutions should be in place to give the best possible defence?