Picture this: Your business gets hit by a ransomware attack, and your valuable data is locked away by cyber criminals demanding a huge ransom fee. You can’t afford to pay it. But there’s a twist – just like those “buy now, pay later” schemes, some ransomware gangs are offering victims payment extension options.

Recent research reveals that ransomware groups are getting creative with their extortion strategies. One group is even offering victims various choices when it comes to their ransom demands. These “choices” include:
Paying to delay the publication of their stolen data, with a standard fee of $10,000… or paying to have their stolen data deleted before it’s made public.

The exact amounts charged are often negotiated with victims, adding a chilling dimension to the whole ordeal.
To increase the pressure on victims, these ransomware groups have added some terrifying features to their web sites. These include countdown timers displaying how much time businesses have before their data is released, view counters, and even tags revealing the victim’s identity and description.

It’s all designed to make victims feel cornered and more likely to give in to the demands.

You might be tempted to pay that ransom to protect your business data. Not so fast. Paying is always a bad idea and here’s why…

Paying doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get your data back or that the cyber criminals won’t demand more money later.
By paying, you’re essentially funding criminal activities, encouraging them to continue their attacks on others.
Paying a ransom might even get you into legal trouble, as some governments have made it illegal to pay cyber criminals.

So, what can you do to safeguard your business from falling victim to ransomware?

• Ensure you have regular, secure backups of your data. This way, you won’t be at the mercy of cyber criminals.
• Educate your staff about the risks of ransomware and train them to recognize phishing emails and suspicious links.
• Invest in robust cyber security software and keep it up to date.
• Keep your systems and software updated with the latest security patches.
• Segment your network to limit the spread of ransomware if one device gets infected.
• Develop a clear incident response plan, so you know exactly what to do if you’re ever hit by a ransomware attack.

Paying cyber criminals rarely makes things better, and we’re seeing businesses that do pay become targets time and time again. Instead, invest in the proactive measures above to help you stay secure. And if we can help you with that, get in touch. 262-515-9499.

​You might think that cyber criminals are only interested in large companies or those with huge financial assets. After all, that's where the big bucks are, right?
 
Think again. 

Recent reports have shown that cyber criminals are casting their nets wide, targeting businesses of all sizes, from mom-and-pop stores to global enterprises. And they're doing it with the help of something called "botnets."
 
You may have heard about the rise of malicious botnets, and you're probably wondering, "what on earth is a botnet, and why should I care?" Botnets are the secret weapons of cyber criminals. They're armies of compromised devices, all under the control of a single, malicious puppeteer. These can be anything from your computer to your smart refrigerator. Yes, even your refrigerator can be turned into a cyber weapon.
 
A new report observed "massive spikes" in the activity of these botnets, with over a million devices involved in malicious activities at one point. To put it into perspective, that's a hundred times the usual levels of botnet activity.
 
Usually, there are around 10,000 devices doing naughty stuff each day, with 20,000 being the highest number researchers had seen. But in December 2023, things got crazy. The number shot up to 35,144, and two weeks later, it rose even further to 43,194. That's a lot of compromised devices.
 
And it didn't stop there; the researchers saw the biggest spike yet, hitting a whopping 143,957 distinct devices being used at the same time. In fact, on January 5 and 6 there were spikes of more than a million devices!
 
Why are they doing this? These botnets are being used to scan the internet, searching for weaknesses in websites, servers, and even email systems.
 
Think of the internet as a fortress with many doors and windows. These cyber criminals are looking for unlocked doors and open windows to sneak in. They focus on specific "ports" that serve as entry points.
 
What can you do to protect yourself from these cyber threats?
 
It's all about strengthening those doors and windows. Here are a few simple steps:
 

• Keep your software, operating systems, and applications up-to-date. Regular updates often fix vulnerabilities.

 

• Install a good firewall and reliable antivirus software to protect your devices.

 

• Educate your employees about cyber security best practices, such as avoiding suspicious links and emails.

 

• Enforce strong, unique passwords for all your accounts and devices.

 

• Regularly back up your data to prevent loss in case of a cyber attack.

 

• Keep an eye on your network for any unusual activity.

 

• Consider hiring a cyber security expert (that’s us) to assess and enhance your security measures.

 
If we can help you keep your business better protected, get in touch! 262-515-9499