Does Your Small Business Need Ransomware Protection?

The short answer is YES! Hackers don’t care which data they hold for ransom; they simply want access. There’s a good chance that your small business is vulnerable to attack. Here’s why you need ransomware protection sooner or later.

• Your relative or friend networked computers in your small office and there is no antivirus protection.
• You’re using two-step authentication via Google, and it is vulnerable to attacks.
• There is no security system set up on at least one computer in the office.

Those are a few reasons why cybersecurity may be breached, putting your business at risk.

What happens when a system is breached?

When a system is breached, it can be through the smallest portal, like an employee opening an email or clicking a link. If there isn’t security, the data of the entire business is vulnerable. Hackers will take data and hold it for ransom. Yes, a literal ransom. The cost can be thousands of dollars, if not more. They don’t care what data they have; they just want the payment.

The hackers hold the encryption key so you can no longer access information. They request payment. You can either pay the ransom to get the key or you can rebuild the entire network from backups, assuming there are backups. Either way, it’s going to cost your small business in time, money, and resources.

The financial impact of a ransomware attack can be devastating. The loss of reputation to clients and the public can be insurmountable. Don’t put your business at risk. Get ransomware protection.

What is ransomware protection?

Ransomware protection includes setting up firewalls on all computers, scanning with antivirus software on a regular basis, and educating employees.

• Regular backups so data can be restored in the event of an attack.
• Configuring a security system for ransomware protection.
• Updating operating systems and programs.
• Filtering emails for spam.
• Limiting employee access to information.
• Educating employees about phishing scams.

By taking these simple steps, you can better protect your business from attacks.

If your business is attacked, there are steps you can take to protect the rest of the computers.

1. Turn off and disconnect the infected computers.
2. Remove the malware and identify where the breach occurred.
3. Tell employees so they know to be careful.
4. Inquire about cyber security insurance.

Then you can attempt to gain back access, restore data or even abandon it if it wasn’t critical to business, and if needed, pay the ransom to regain access. If you have the backups, it may be more budget-friendly to simply have data restored from the point of breach and move forward from there instead of paying a ransom.

Then, call TekConcierge to assess, update, upgrade, monitor, and maintain the system moving forward.