Ransomware is a type of malware that will infect your computer or computer system, and it will encrypt your data, making it unusable to you. When this happens to businesses, they often have to pause operations until they can get their system back up and operational.

 

There is also possibly a second threat, which is that they exfiltrate the business’s data. If that happens, they are often asked to pay a ransom. If that ransom is not paid, they could have their data sold on the dark web. In some cases, businesses who are hit by a ransomware attack, end up shutting down because they cannot recover from it.

 

What can you do to protect your business?

1. Make sure you back up the data often and store it offline so it cannot be encrypted.

2.  Train your employees on how to spot phishing scams. Make sure they know not to click on links in emails they were not expecting.

3. Keep your firmware and software updated and patched, so there are no vulnerabilities.

4. Close Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) on your devices. If you do need to access a computer remotely use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

 

Learn more about cybersecurity at Michigan.gov/mc3 and bbb.org.