)Protecting your business from ransomware attacks
Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts a victim's files. The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data upon payment. It is on the rise and it is something serious that every business should know about. We find ourselves reliant on technology more and more, whether it’s using a mobile phone for making calls, checking up on social media, using a laptop for work or personal use, using Alexa to help with commands; everywhere we look or go, there’s technology. But with that, comes high risks and cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, so while we need to be wary of the big attacks, we also need to understand the basics to avoid falling victim.
Many businesses use Network Attached Storage (NAS); a backup hard disk storage system with its own network address rather than being attached to any computer. It has its own software for configuring and mapping file locations to the network-attached devices. And it is these that are being frequently more attacked by Ransomware – NAS is the one thing that you may have thought was immune from attack and was safe given it is a backup! However, that is what makes it an attractive target – because then a business cannot just restore affected files from a backup since they cannot access the backup. It is quite clever really!
To avoid having your NAS attacked, ensure you use strong passwords and your software is always kept up to date. Not running up to date software programs and patches can easily make your NAS vulnerable to attack. You can also ensure you have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, as well as regularly running backups of NAS storage which can then be archived remotely. There are additional security measures available such as the ability to block IP addresses which show repeated failed login attempts (a sure sign someone is trying to hack your system) and inbuilt firewalls.
If you are in any way concerned about your NAS and whether it may be vulnerable to attack or is not as safe as you think, please get in touch. We would be happy to assist and provide that peace of mind.
