You’ve probably heard about it on the news and interwebs. It’s impacted tens of thousands of unsuspecting people in over 100 countries worldwide. The recent global cyberattack has many business owners, employees, and agencies trying to recover from one of the biggest ransomware attacks in history, thus far. From hospitals, to governments, to educational institutions, corporations and organizations of all sizes, were locked out of their computers and unable to access files.
The cause of such cyber destruction? WannaCry, a ransom malware virus that requests payment from users in order to have their files restored. The software plays on a flaw within Microsoft Windows, and targets computers and networks running on outdated security protection. The attack disrupted the everyday operations of many industries in Russia, China, the U.S., and other countries.
While many are feeling the ramifications of the attacks, the good news is, a “kill switch” was recently created to help stop the ransomware attack from spreading. Many establishments and organizations have cleaned up the cyber mess, while others are still picking up the pieces.
So, how does one take the necessary steps to prevent a cyberattack?
Stay protected: Ensure your computer is running up-to-date anti-virus software. Enable auto-update so your software does the worrying for you.
Have a backup plan: Routinely backup your files, and store them offline, away from shared networks.
Be aware of unsolicited emails: If the sender, or subject raises your suspicion, trust your instincts. Refrain from opening any attachments, and clicking links within the email.
Know what’s new: Cyberattacks can gain traction with the click of a link. Stay informed of the latest cyber threats, and share the wealth of knowledge with others.
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Want to know more? The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a cyber security webinar, June 6th, at no cost to you! Click here for more information.
