During the last event at IMPS Premier Plus business membership club on Wednesday the 13th July 2016 Clive Catton(Technical Director at Octagon Technology) run a very successful interactive session on Ransomware in order to equip local businesses with both knowledge and tips on how to improve their data safety and prevent the infection. It was great to see 46 people from local businesses attending the event, and enjoy good food and hospitality of IMPS Premier Plus club.
Ransomware has been labelled the fastest growing ‘industry’ in IT security. It is a very invasive form of malware and presents a significant threat to your computer system. The occurrence of attacks are rising, and so is the price to get your data back and systems running.
Clive said: ‘Without taking the proper preventative measures you are putting your business into greater risk and if the worst happen you are stuck with this costly option ‘just pay it.’
Rules to follow to prevent the infection:
Rule # 1. Make sure your computer system is protected at all times – use a reputable and up-to-date anti-virus system and run periodic scans with a trusted anti-malware product. Without a protection your system is vulnerable to Ransomware.
Rule # 2. Stay vigilant and do not open any .zip or .pdf attachment on an email, from an unexpected or unknown sender.
Rule # 3. If you receive an unexpected email from someone you know get in touch with that person to confirm the source of this email first – the sender’s system may itself have been infected with something nasty.
Rule # 4. Surf smart – try to only visit sites you know and trust.
Rule # 5. If you visit a new site, be vigilant to any type of warning signs in your browser, this may be a first signal that you are on a malicious site.
Rule # 6. Be careful when inserting media into your computer or anywhere on the network – this is a way Ransomware and other malware is transmitted and spread.
Rule # 7. Importantly, have a backup in place with a retention policy. Data backup needs to be an integrated part of your business. The best backup systems are automated, managed and monitored and are fast to recover if the worst happens.
We have developed a variety of secure data backup systems that takes full advantage of the improvements in fast mass storage devices and Internet connection speed.
Staff training and vigilance is essential when it comes to data security. Our seminars and workshops are carefully tailored to the level of skills of your workforce and requirements of your business. Should you need us to deliver technology training to your staff or would like Clive to speak at your event, please contact us for more information:
- Telephone 01522 97520 or email me direct kamila@octagontech.com
Kamila
