This last week the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, better known as CISA, launched a brand new ransomware resource website. As its name says, it is geared towards stopping ransomware. Ransomware has become one of the most popular forms of malware used by cybercriminals and has quickly become a bigger threat to small business than before because of this.
Stop Ransomware
The new website from CISA offers free resources, including tip sheets, training, webinars, services, and more. CISA’s new website does a great job of explaining what ransomware is, why it is a threat, steps you can take prior, during, and after a ransomware attack, and easy to understand resources. I highly encourage readers of Security Byte to check out the site.
A friendly reminder
Here at Security Bytes, we have discussed ransomware quite often, but for the new reader or for those needing a refresher, ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts the data on your devices or servers. The cybercriminal then asks for money, the ransom, to unlock your files so you can access them again. Sometimes this works, sometimes this does not.
Ransomware attacks have evolved over time. More commonly now the cybercriminal up the ante by suggesting they will expose your encrypted data online if you do not pay the ransom. Once again, sometimes this works, sometimes it does not. While it is not recommended to pay the ransom, it is still an individual decision each small business will need to make for themselves.
Ransomware warning
Almost last year to the day, the FBI posted a warning on ransomware and its evolving forms, specifically the Netwalker ransomware. You can check out that warning here in one of our Security Bytes from July 2020. We also provide some steps you can take to minimize being a victim of ransomware in the article.
For more on ransomware and other cybersecurity threats, along with great resources, check out Small Business, Big Threat.