Ransomware continues to accumalate victims

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[SmartCloud LLC]

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RANSOMWARE

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A Serious Threat

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Ransomware

You may not believe [ransomware](http://r.news.smartcloudllc.com/mk/cl/f/R8HaJIkPMd6WMzr56QegBkF52yUYem9UPwT8HE5NtpAW68QztQzkhQ9h8qGCi2U9VLQywISVe-raNCw-q08QsYGUBq8bUxCDX0eXT-XsvPassvIZJ8dlnLRaCMVLET5QnUn876aUVoycOsAFrLiVOkmYbtaxPsa07tEdgQfafVoG3DbSWCUIBLOYUao458jqGZSi5_-lkvdGm2SPTCnhrrXyUKN74FIUJR_t-zG1E4CCROlz_ZT9gdLdFaWlW-EL-rKj4bF5Ny9mRqktmPhCWc-b8ZU1ipzq-bB6WXitNFcrBrzHmHsLluCOWxIyfHyKEvULQ8kD1gUksqAWflOGin732JMiA4dek4MIv6KXeKrf8hr7xEX8hKMo1NVYmvFqc4QoIOMCG7XgDTpuvGqqFzPlLxaLegW8zcgzRAKHWl1HMnHez_hYR-QdDe-nAbpCRTBerQpXt4vgSYAT4tx_qCHAmBIWbpP-Gf_1rknMIcBxrkOz8llpANmLDRtODRgTdJH0rMqok6OgnQJnb06PvhuL2AFFFGNkIJ8ZuVuP_3MpQVidOLu3iaChGIcK3zzG8vJo6CqBzK7CtTW_aphKPA) is a serious threat, but the recent situation at Colonial Pipeline made believers of many people throughout the southeast U.S. as they lined up at gas stations for every drop of gas they could get.

The ransomware program [DarkSide](http://r.news.smartcloudllc.com/mk/cl/f/C6D6m7kLhhIoJI0s3MPPPFPBjO0wsiK0mDKlwciDnwOGSVzR0heo2MHh-3BSJcxv29VizPb_2hrgVK1t-gt1X4ANcbmZ34z8D1F3ww47Ibsd6WTo5vpBQlgvcxhsEjDCAwafh0CxXIscXO41KAKOQcbOkWdr9FAEkaglkWBx2zkWrNdCZ7ukES9RrI9ZW0nWeg6EIRob0iKn1ysvbw_kLnQ_BEi4vJtlP5krwB60eZcCFf-xQ73bmFfn38IyDI5LnrXl9WyRTzIyPUFArj1CtorDa8ZMH9MqcFS4h3oBTMSHdBwV_rsxA6X9E-35bJAEZIn8ny7qSbrP5mTvrqqf96QJfctIyVyByyBJ4cEWYqvF_NhAQUDkCtDpzigjUEuLQdDfUFLGZnn5OYXmE5h7yoQGSdMSqAgBV7jo7LtM-36DDqfv77kvEyJC_hfqdq2n1JAle5-7t2s99dt5Jc0hclFOlBv6fovYC9SVJLoJ8vACbpMrv8K-uCvPy-UBj-i5dXvT9fd5W1DfhC0rQRg1hGzsd-FwwqOuFX0132T3u4Kq4CORMc4EsuVYV5IP577WbGobtwALdvMMgHZlShCeoWxv3pC_c3_wgA) was used at Colonial Pipeline. The malware is offered as a service to cybercriminals. Like other prolific ransomware threats DarkSide employs double extortion that combines file encryption with data theft. This locks up your data and there is not much you can do to bring it back on your own. Which means if you do not have an up-to-date backup, you are pretty much out of business. Adding insult to injury, ransomware then stops backups, shadow copies, and antiviral services. In addition, the attackers threaten to release your sensitive data to the public. If you are a business owner, won't your customers just love that! The goal is leaving you no choice but to pay the ransom fee for a decryption key.

You can become infected by ransomware programs in several ways. Exploiting software vulnerabilities and [phishing emails](http://r.news.smartcloudllc.com/mk/cl/f/fm6ngtJ2DxctAyF-JmsVxg-4sh2fkzT4JcfFKjrquFvAAn7BvCXNq6uylG2JKDFhxa2tfv4TGsYlq8U3znJMljX6tW9nK3NSHX9AK9gUevlaUXJdpSy2j-31ZOkpGdDLQSnPRksH6grrrgtrJmJPkJXjqSmYlkIHPYGH-HE_Zj82n8aXaOlg4FJTpWYReJalKW4SONTR08KHa0Fb5WcgcNJhZSQpRMGESEz4ItcT7NN6-ZzxpvSEN_Kvgo1quFNtYVoAWhcxFQKekvXZAMsdv7PfHgl4ulXFAegFAq3BR3UhT7DMwYv_V1cVK66qsZElreumcOOMXKT9rBZ0luEt1e6PIyHyF_DC8Z3LHE2gWmuG0AK61-mkIq8YyXstldugeK_0fGU1sJt7JG7xHskxpkMLmq-2PLPjvXgFg54SimOUzr1h3zfwkCS3VZb1umq6YOu9oL4wbEiowHqMLwM2ZvhpBXmZmazbVESjorUtnapJZDDG_GlINGqYwQqHZl8pwNt-Q6n_Ry_zr3yC6sNwoS3UAJip1kB9DWDgskMyAgOtlvVX3NvEUITzeyq3X-L-HJJ37JkgMnVIW0-h7iBqNeknUFV1FTFxvlYcVw) are among the most common. Ransomware attacks have increased over 100% since 2020. That's an average of more than 1,000 organizations attacked every week. The attacks can come any time, but long three-day weekends are a favorite!

You're not too small to be a target

If you think this only happens to other companies think again. Local Houston companies including a commercial real estate company, have been held ransom. The real estate company in question lost months of data that had to be re-entered manually.

How to prevent ransomware attacks

So, what can you do? For starters, you must practice all the usual [good security techniques](http://r.news.smartcloudllc.com/mk/cl/f/2aHsky4nHrvMVTbysngsARiUZCOViszVZuFHaCKDCSsb1mLmt8e1NqoiU-H53jXq4RFjTzYbiyVbviEnQzMDDO-x2Epjw1NwkZLguJVq0_M8tbW5EuZ4zkStTql40nNGRyozODWwD7zbspPetaaoaVfN_EoeDZg5PUHJl8V_8yR5pwUocWvLwqt_fb4jLD9JOoUPbbxZshHdwyFHeYYpptx17q4RvJs86wf5wtVtTVus5_CL14bwRrAt5gBxFxyWoZTzA1OQ8W9qr1RWc2f5vLYcbHYZNIwMHuu0fRsOFSz2T6slls_Z). That means keeping all programs and operating systems up to date with the latest patches, constantly checking and rechecking your systems for possible infections, using two-factor authentication, and making certain employees know what phishing attacks look like and how to avoid them.

Automatic and routinely scheduled backups are a must! Make sure the backups work and can be restored quickly. If you cannot restore your systems quickly, it doesn't matter how recent your backups are. SmartCloud offers proven cloud based remote backup that can be setup in as little as 30 minutes.

You should also invest in enterprise antivirus software. Proper security hygiene involves antivirus software on all devices and kept current through a central control panel for an administrator's review. Yes, that's a lot of work. But the alternative is much worse.

SmartCloud LLC

As a Data Center and MSP, SmartCloud has been providing hybrid cloud solutions that allow companies to work from the office or home with complete transparency for nearly a decade. SmartCloud's staff is uniquely qualified with expertise to assist you with remote desktop, backup solutions, securing your company’s IT and disaster preparedness.

For more information, email us at [info-P2IKvJ+5mbq5RiYDS96joQC/[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]?subject=I%20need%20more%20information%20on%20a%20Business%20Security%20Assessment) or call 281-970-1234.

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SmartCloud LLC
11152 Westheimer Rd, Suite 147
Houston, TX 77042
281-970-1234
[support-P2IKvJ+5mbq5RiYDS96joQC/[email protected]](mailto:support-P2IKvJ+5mbq5RiYDS96joQC/[email protected]?subject=Assistance%20please)
www.smartcloudllc.com

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