Tag Archive for: Ransomware

Everything you need to know to keep your team and data safe.

Chances are you know about phishing.

It’s where someone sends you a fake email pretending to be someone else. They’re hoping you’ll click a bad link or download a dangerous attachment.

It’s one of the biggest kinds of cybercrime.

But do you know what the red flags are?

We’ve created this new guide with our top advice on how to stay a step ahead of cyber criminals. Read it here: GUIDE: The Business Owner’s Complete Guide to Phishing

If you’re interested in finding out more, book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

Here is your September 2022 “Tech Tips For The Boss” newsletter! This month features keeping your remote worker’s devices up to par, new research on malware attacks, the dangers of RATS, and more! Click here to download it: September 2022 Newsletter

Interested in finding out more? Book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

You know what a ransomware attack is, right? Cyber criminals access your data and encrypt it so you can’t access it. Then they demand a ransom fee to get it back.

A shocking 97% of business leaders who’ve already been hit by ransomware say they would pay up if it happened again, despite experts strongly advising against it.

Why? They understand what a nightmare it is.

The only way to protect is to prepare. Our newest video tells you how. Watch it here:

Want help preparing your business? Book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

Your data is pivotal to running a successful company. If you don’t have proper security measures in place, hackers can easily steal your data and take you out of business.

Cybercriminals might be the biggest threat facing your company. Besides gaining access to your money and accounts, they can also take over critical software, preventing you from collaborating with clients.

Any organization can fall victim to hacking. However, small and medium businesses are particularly at risk.

Why?

Too often, their owners don’t always address cybersecurity when launching their company. Sometimes, they even just hire the first IT service provider they see. They also don’t know how to shield themselves from online attackers, making them low-risk targets.

As a result, these organizations often go under due to the loss of sensitive data. It isn’t a risk you can take.

To help mitigate these risks, this article will introduce you to the various types of hackers to help you understand what exactly you are protecting your business against.

THE 5 TYPES OF HACKERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Here’s a quick list of potential hackers, depending on what they’re after:

#1. HACKERS WHO ARE AFTER PERSONAL INFORMATION

Many hackers are dying to get their hands on the personal information of your clients and employees. It includes birth dates, financial data, and social security numbers.

Social security numbers might be the most valuable asset they want to get a hold of since cybercriminals can use them for various purposes. For instance, they can perform tax fraud, open credit accounts, and make other significant identity breaches.

In addition, financial data can be utilized for fraudulent activities and purchases, especially if it lacks robust digital security systems.

#2. HACKERS WHO WANT TO GET INTO THE DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Storage and data servers are expensive – and hackers know that.

In order for them to cut costs, hackers may aim to store their applications and data on your infrastructure instead. The better your infrastructure, the more likely cybercriminals are to target it. This can strain your network to the limits and have devastating effects on your business.

Unsurprisingly, tech companies are some of the most common victims of this type of hacking.

The common indicators that a hacker has tapped into your digital infrastructure include:

  • Running out of storage faster than usual
  • Your network suffers slowdowns
  • You may have unknown devices on your network
#3. HACKERS WHO ARE AFTER CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Few business aspects are as important as your intellectual property (IP). Your products and services enable you to stand out from the competition and strike a chord with the target audience.

A huge problem arises if hackers steal the design of your upcoming product before you launch it or submit your patent. A competitor may obtain the information, allowing them to hit the market first and undercut your sales.

#4. HACKERS WHO WANT TO GET ACCOUNT DATA

You and your IT service provider might have done enough so that hackers might not be able to obtain financial data, but are your employees’ accounts secure?

If hackers compromise them, they may let them run scams and gain information to disrupt your operations.

For example, losing CEO login credentials can be devastating. Besides granting hackers access to sensitive information, it also helps them impersonate the CEO. In return, they can solicit information from employees or clients and halt your operations.

This data breach can lead to widespread confusion, tarnishing your reputation.

#5. HACKERS WHO AIM TO HAVE NETWORK CONTROL

In some cases, hackers aren’t after data. Instead, they want to gain control of your entire network. To make this happen, they launch ransomware attacks.

These activities enable them to lock you out of the system and make data inaccessible until you pay a ransom. They’re typically initiated through spam, phishing emails, and online ads.

The average ransom amount stands at approximately $30,000, but the loss caused by business disruption is much more significant.

STAY ON THE SAFE SIDE

Battling hackers may not be the most exciting part of running a business. However, neglecting cybersecurity turns your company into a sitting duck for scammers. You may lose money and data, and your reputation might suffer irreparable damage.

While there isn’t a bulletproof solution, there are many ways that your business can mitigate these risks.

Contact us today if you want to discuss your cybersecurity and pinpoint potential risks. You can book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

 

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.

Here is your April 2022 “Tech Tips For The Boss” newsletter! This month features your business’s secret weapon, important need-to-knows about ransomware, and more! Click here to download it: April 2022 Newsletter

Interested in finding out more? Book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about phishing. It’s one of the biggest concerns when it comes to cybercrime as it targets your business’s weakest link – your staff. With phishing, cybercriminals send emails to your business pretending to be someone they are not, like your bank or a vendor. Their hope is that one of your employees will click a link and accidentally give them access to all your data.

Do you think that anyone on your team would fall for a phishing email? Well, our new video shows you an easy way to check. Watch it here:

If you’re interested in help protecting your business, book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

If your business falls victim to cybercrime and your customer’s data is leaked, it won’t just be your productivity and revenue that take a hit, your reputation and client trust will also be damaged. If your clients don’t feel like they can trust you, they will choose to spend their money elsewhere.

Our newest video discussed how to prevent cybercrime from losing you customers. Watch it here:

If you’re interested in finding out more, book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

While the cyber security of your business should always be a high priority, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine means that businesses may be at an increased risk of cyber-attack.

Although there is no direct threat at present, the West is placing a range of sanctions on Russia. There could be retaliation and Russia has used cyber-attacks in the past.

But what does this mean for your business?

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued a ‘shields up’ warning to businesses and says they must be prepared to defend against cyber-attacks originating from Russia.

Businesses of all sizes will be at risk as the aim will be to cause as much disruption as possible.

This means that you can’t afford to slack off on your usual cyber security measures. If there’s something you’ve been meaning to get around to doing, now is the time.

The first thing you need to make sure you have in place is a working backup. Should you be hit by a cyber-attack, such as a ransomware attack, you will still be able to access all of your data and documents.

Ensure that all your applications, systems and devices are running the latest updates, and that any relevant patches are in place. You should also make sure best practice is being followed when it comes to password hygiene.

Make use of password managers to ensure your whole team uses unique passwords that are less susceptible to brute force attacks. You should also strongly consider using multi-factor authentication (where you get a login code on another device) across your applications for a higher level of security.

Check that your incident response and recovery plan is up-to-date and that everyone is aware of the steps they should take if they suspect a security breach. Your people need to know who to report a possible breach to, and who is responsible for protecting the business.

You may also want to consider company-wide cyber security training – and this really does mean everyone from the most senior employee to the most junior. This will help to make everyone aware of the most common threats, and teach them how to spot scams and phishing emails.

Finally, if you’re unsure that you have the right protections in place, speak to an expert who can help put your mind at ease and make sure your business is as protected as possible.

We’re here to help. If you have any concerns that your cyber security has fallen behind, book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

 

Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

Be Prepared: Sooner or Later Your Business WILL Be Attacked

Ransomware is the scariest data security threat that businesses have ever faced.

Imagine you employees arriving at work one morning, and the first thing they see is a bright red computer screen saying that all your data is gone unless you pay a huge ransom. That is a terrifying thought!

The best way to protect yourself is to understand the risks and prepare your business. Our newest guide answers all your questions about ransomware and provides 5 steps you should be taking to improve your business’s ransomware resilience. Download it here: 5 Steps to Improve Your Ransomware Resilience

Want advice on how to keep your business safe? Book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.

Did you know that according to recent reports, it takes companies and average of 6 months to realize that their data has been breached!? Scary!

Data breaches are one of the worst things that can happen to a company, as the financial and reputational repercussions can be huge. This makes early detection of breaches so important.

We have created this short video to help you learn how to spot the early signs of a data breach and what to do if you suspect that someone has gained access to your network. Watch it here:

If you are interested in finding out more about protecting your data, book a 15 minute, no obligation call with us at www.durham-it.ca/book-a-call/.