SMB ransomware attacks are on the rise, and if your business is not prepared, you could be the next victim. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to minimize the damage if your SMB is attacked by ransomware.
Let’s also talk about some recent ransomware attacks that have made headlines and discuss best practices for preventing ransomware attacks from happening in the first place.
Ransomware Attacks in the News
The Colonial Pipeline attack in 2021 caused not only technical damage, but impacted critical infrastructure. It resulted in disrupted gas supplies which in turn caused widespread public panic. The crime was committed by a group called DarkSide, and Colonial Pipeline ended up paying them nearly $5 million in bitcoin in order to restore their systems.
Another prominent recent attack by the DarkSide group was against Brenntag, a chemical distribution company. This cyberattack ended with the company paying $4.4 million in bitcoin, and the perpetrators are still at large.
A meat processing company, JBS Foods, was also targeted by ransomware hackers in 2021. Authorities stepped in to keep the public from hoarding meat products, but the company still faced a crippling loss. The criminals ended up walking away with a payment of $11 million from JBS Foods. While hackers undoubtedly go after large corporations, SMB ransomware attacks are also a common occurrence and can inflict just as much damage.
5 Ways to Minimize Damage from SMB Ransomware Attacks
- Restore your data from a backup. If you have a recent backup of your data, restoring it should be your first priority.
- Contact your IT department. Your IT staff know how to handle cyberattacks and will walk you through next steps and disaster recovery procedures.
- Continue using anti-virus software. Make sure your computers are running anti-virus software, and keep it up to date.
- Create/follow a ransomware response plan. Having a plan in place will help you react quickly if your SMB is attacked by ransomware.
- Educate your employees. As a main line of defense, employees need to be aware of the dangers of ransomware and how to avoid it. They should also be kept informed about any attacks and next steps to help protect the company.
Best Practices to Avoid Ransomware Attacks
- Backup your data. Make sure you have a recent backup of your data, so you can restore it if it’s attacked by ransomware.
- Update your software. Make sure all of your software is up to date, including your anti-virus software.
- Create strong passwords. Use strong passwords and change them frequently.
- Don’t open attachments or click on links from unknown sources. Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, and don’t open any attachments or click on any links unless you are sure they are safe.
- Use a pop-up blocker. Pop-ups can be a source of malware, so make sure you are using a pop-up blocker.
Start Protecting Your SMB Today!
SMB ransomware attacks are on the rise, and if your business is not prepared, you could take a financial hit or lose your company altogether.
To learn more about how to protect your business from a ransomware attack, contact a cybersecurity expert from Fresh Managed IT today. We’ve protected businesses from cyberattacks for years, and we’re here to help you as well.
