Ransomware is a type of malware (virus) that blocks access to your files, and then demands that you pay a ransom in order to get them back. This is usually done by encrypting the files, requiring a password to decrypt the data. The password is available to you for a small fee, usually ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.
If you fall victim to ransomware, you have two options: 1) restore from backup, or 2) pay the ransom. I suppose there is a third option: leave your data for dead and move on. None of this is pretty, but a solid backup is absolutely critical!
Most businesses have at least some sort of data backup system running on the server. But here are some things to think about:
How often is the server being backup up? Is anyone testing those backups to make sure they are working properly? Are all of the critical files on the server being backed up? (All it takes is to miss a single check-box in the settings and critical data is now unprotected.)
Assuming the server is in fact being properly backed up, how long would it take to restore all of that data and get back to business as usual?
Is your workstation, laptop, tablet, and/or phone being backed up? If not, are you absolutely positive that all of your critical files are stored on the server?
How safe is your third-party software data that is being stored in the cloud? Check with your vendors to make sure!
For more information, read our latest blog post:
FBI Says Pay Up For Ransomware. We Say BACKUP!
