It’s the fastest growing crime on the planet – ransomware
Ransomware is terrifying. Just terrifying!
Imagine switching on your work computer one morning. And instead of the screen you normally see, the screen has gone totally red. There’s a message telling you your business’s data has been locked. And the only way to get it back is to pay thousands in Bitcoin.
This is not a rare event. It happens to businesses round here every day. Every business is at risk. And it’s one of the hardest things for us as your IT support company to fix.
If you’ve heard of it, you may have put two and two together. And figured out that ransomware is a form of malware (malicious software) that holds your business to ransom. Cyber criminals take control of your files, photographs, and any other data that’s important to you. They encrypt it, and deny you access until you’ve paid a ransom of their choosing.
While anyone can become a victim of ransomware, it’s usually small to medium sized businesses (just like yours) that are targeted. That’s because they often don’t spend an adequate amount of time or money on security for their devices and networks.
You’ll know quite clearly if you’ve got ransomware. You’ll be locked out of your computers. And there’ll be a message on your screens telling you to pay a “fine” or the crime gets worse. An example of what you might have to pay is £5,000 (in bitcoin, the online currency). If you fail to pay up within three days, the figure doubles. Fail to pay within a week and your data is gone.
Deleted!
We’ve written a brand new guide. It tells you how to protect your business, and dramatically reduce your chances of being attacked. You can download the guide here.
If you have any questions about your business’s cyber security, or any other technology-related questions, and would like some advice, give us a call on 0345 319 4877 (local call rate). We’ll be happy to help you.
