Are You Protected Against Ransomware Attacks?
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK to ensure that they’ve done all they can to protect themselves against a possible ransomware attack.
Ransomware is a growing trend around the world, where malicious documents are sent out – often in spam emails – and when the recipient clicks a link contained within all their data becomes encrypted. They are then ordered to pay (often in the hundreds) to get their data back – which highlights the importance of doing data backup on a regular basis.
Earlier last month (May 12th), the NHS became one of the highest-profile victims of a ransomware attack called WannaCry, which saw computers across hospitals and GP surgeries around the country hit by malware that blocked access to files on the PCs until a ransom was paid. It’s thought that technology was stolen from the US National Security Agency to help the perpetrators pull off the crime, which affected nearly 100 countries.
FSB national chairman Mike Cherry said: “We are urging all small businesses to take steps to reduce the risk of an attack. Businesses should immediately check for updates to their operating systems and anti-malware software and download them where needed. We advise small firms to make sure their data is backed up – if the worst happens, data cannot then be held to ransom.”
Ransomware could also potentially affect VoIP business phone systems as well, so bear this in mind if you use them at work. Telephone systems may well have been affected by the recent WannaCry attack as well as computers, which is certainly food for thought for SMEs.