Protect your business from Ransoware & Malware

To stay ahead of the threats, you need the most cutting-edge solutions available.

Malware

Malware is a combination of two words – “malicious” and “software”. This umbrella term describes any form of malicious code, regardless of the way it afflicts victims, how it behaves or what damage it causes.

What is malware?

Malware encompasses all sorts of malicious software, including its best-known forms such as Trojan horses, ransomware, viruses, worms, and banking malware. The common denominator of everything that is described by this term is the malicious intent of its authors or operators.

How to recognise malware?

For a regular user, it is hard to say which file is malware and which isn’t. That’s why security solutions exist, maintaining vast databases of previously seen malicious samples and employing multiple protective technologies to counter new ones.

How does malware work?

Malware authors nowadays are very creative. Their “products” spread via vulnerabilities in unpatched systems, sneak past security measures, hide in memory, or mimic legitimate applications just to stay undetected. 

However, even today one of the most effective vectors for infection is the weakest link in the chain – the human being. Well-crafted emails with malicious attachments have proven to be an efficient yet cheap way to compromise a system. And it only takes one wrong click to achieve it.

How to stay protected?

The first step is to keep all software up to date, including the operating system and all applications. Not only to add features and improvements and fix bugs, but also to patch vulnerabilities that could be misused by cybercriminals and their malicious code.

That, however, doesn’t cover all the threats that are looming out there. Therefore, a reliable and updated security solution should be in place to stop potential attempted attacks.

Regular backups stored on an offline hard drive are another way to counter malware, allowing the user to easily replace any data that might have been damaged, corrupted or encrypted by the attackers. 

Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that can lock a device or encrypt its contents in order to extort money from the owner. In return, operators of the malicious code promise – of course, without any guarantees – to restore access to the affected machine or data.

What is ransomware?

This specific kind of malicious software is used for extortion. When a device is successfully attacked, malware blocks the screen or encrypts data stored on the disk and a ransom demand with payment details is displayed to the victim.

How to recognise ransomware?

If you have been attacked, ransomware will in most cases inform you by displaying a ransom message on your screen, or by adding a text file (message) to the affected folders. Many ransomware families also change the file extension of the encrypted files.

 

How does ransomware work?

There are multiple techniques used by the ransomware operators:

  • Diskcoder ransomware encrypts the whole disk and prevents the user from accessing the operating system.
  • Screen locker blocks the access to the device’s screen.
  • Crypto-ransomware encrypts data stored on victim’s disk. 
  • PIN locker targets Android devices and change their access codes to lock out their users. 

How to stay protected?

Basic rules you should follow to avoid your data being lost:

  • Back up your data on a regular basis – and keep at least one full backup off-line
  • Keep all your software – including operating systems – patched and up to date

However to help users/organizations recognize, prevent and remove ransomware a reliable and multi-layered security solution is the most efficient option.

ESET protects you against ransomware

Award winning ESET NOD32® technology delivers superior protection against advanced malware with a light footprint and unmatched speed.

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Based In Keele, SyTech IT provide IT Solutions, Support & Systems for Industry and multi channel distribution businesses within Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Birmingham and Manchester.

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