When you first set up your computers, you are often asked how to set options to encrypt your files on your computer for extra security, especially on a laptop? Ransomware encrypts you and/or your organization’s files and demands a ransom for the data to be decrypted. Ransomware frequently targets file central resources servers and databases. Once files on these resources are encrypted, it can cripple an entire enterprise.
How to Respond and Report a Ransomware Attack
The FBI does recommend paying a ransom in response to a ransomware attack. Paying won’t guarantee you or your organization will get any data back. It also encourages hackers to target more victims and encourages more data breaches and ransomware attacks.
If you are a victim of a data breach ransomware:
- Contact your local FBI field office to request assistance or submit a tip online.
- File a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- You, of course, may also open your firm up to compliance fines and liability regulations vary by state.
- FTC has a Data Breach Response Guide
Trustifi’s email security software prevents ransomware attacks at your Lawfirm
Why is protecting your email so important? Because most of these attacks occur through email! An essential phrase in security is “Address threat meets vulnerability where there is a risk .”By securing email, you’ve reduced the vulnerability to hackers gaining access to computers in your network and then encrypting, scanning, copying, and locking your data from you and your organization.
How Could Ransomware Attacks Take Place at Your Law Firm?
The definition of phishing is when someone at your Law-Firm unwittingly downloads the attacker’s malware or malicious software via email attachments or links. The ransomware may target the data on your device or go after the valuable data on your network’s servers. The loss of access to personal information is annoying. Still, an entire firm’s loss of access to critical data negatively impacts your law firm’s reputation and finances on an immense scale. To regain access to your data, the attacker demands a ransom. However, even if you pay the ransom, there is no guarantee the attacker will give you access to your files. The perpetrators of such a crime might not give back access to your files even if you did pay a ransom.
Types of Ransomware that could be the biggest threat to your Law Firm
Ransomware attacks come in many forms. Some are more dangerous than others, but they all demand a ransom. Following are some common types of ransomware.
Crypto Locker – This malware locks files, folders, and drives. The risk is significant because the encryption algorithm is complicated to crack. A user or an organization cannot access files and folders until they pay the ransom to the attacker to get the decryption key. Read more about how to avoid crypto-malware attacks.
WannaCry – WannaCry ransom, aka WanaCryptor or WCry, has been around for many years. 1,250,000 businesses across 150 countries were attacked with this strain. WannaCry ransomware attack of 2017 affected thousands of Windows PCs worldwide and spread through corporations globally. The attackers demanded users pay a Bitcoin ransom to gain access to their data.
Cerber Ransomware – Cerber ransomware affects Office 365 users who store data in the cloud. Phishing campaigns have exposed millions of Office 365 users to Cerber.
1) Lockers
Locker attacks and locker ransomware lock the computer’s operating system and stop users from accessing the device, preventing access to files or the use of applications.
2) Jigsaw
JIGSAW is one of the most dangerous forms of ransomware. It not only encrypts the files but also gradually deletes them until the victim pays the ransom. Hour after hour, the attacker deletes files. At the end of the 72-hour countdown, the victim has lost all their files.
3) Scareware
Scareware attacks are often disguised as antivirus software or cleaning software. When the user installs the application, the software warns, ” Severe Issues were Detected in Your Device.” then charges the user money to fix them. It also comes in different types, some of which lock the device, others just flood the screen with pop-ups and unwanted alerts.
Preventing Ransomware Attacks on your Lawfirm?
1. Create a backup of your data: Regularly copying your data to an external hard drive will help you avoid losing your data.
2. Use a Cloud Storage provider to back up your data and protect it from fire and Other Natural Disasters.
“Hackers will be unable to hold your data hostage if you have a backup!
3) Stay alert while surfing the Internet: Keep an eye out for malicious websites and pop-ups when you visit a new website, as they are just waiting for you to click.
4) Use Trustifi: Since most ransomware attacks happen through email, protect yourself and your company by using Trustifi’s email security solution to secure your email.
5) Trustifi puts an extra layer of security on your email and eliminates those malicious emails before they enter your inbox.
Contact us about Trustifi!