RaaS and How To Protect Yourself
Cybercriminals have upped their game. They have taken the Software as a Service (SaaS) model and turned it into a ransomware system that anyone can use. A novice could easily lure your business into a ransomware attack with this RaaS. Of course, the hacker himself would have to pay fees from the money he gets from your business to the affiliates of RaaS, but that’s a small price to pay when the global cost of ransomware attacks is about $20 billion a year.
Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) is thriving and you must protect your business from an attack. Awareness is the first step. It’s easier than ever for cybercriminals to hold your business’ data for ransom. If you don’t protect yourself from these hackers, they will easily use RaaS against you.
Most ransomware attacks start with a simple phishing email. Once a hacker gains access to sensitive information (like passwords), they will search for the weakest link. They’ll look for any way to get inside your infrastructure in order to disable your cybersecurity methods. Then they will download all of your files onto their server and upload malware to encrypt all of your business’s data so you can’t access it. You’ll get a message with a dark web link to pay the ransom or they will publicize all your business data on the dark web.
5 Ways To Protect Yourself From RaaS
1. Avoid Phishing Scams
Hackers are good at making themselves look legit. Be careful what links you click on in emails or from Google because they could be leading you to a site on the dark web that collects your information. Look out for misspellings, URLs that don’t match, and extreme urgency.
2. Strengthen Your Infrastructure
Vulnerabilities in your infrastructure are exactly what hackers look for. Anything that’s misconfigured can cause gaps in your security. Perform vulnerability assessments on your infrastructure to ensure you don’t have any potential problems.
3. Protect Your Network
Use Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware solutions to protect your network. The top ten companies include Norton360, McCafe, and Avast. Ask your IT Service Provider which one is best for your business.
4. Stay Updated
Ensure all your devices and software are patched and updated. Systems update when they find vulnerabilities, so if you’re running on an outdated version of the software hackers have access to you and they’re aware of it. Hackers will seek out people running on old platforms and exploit them.
5. Data Backup
Having two options for backup is important. A cloud-based backup is easy to access in case of emergencies but it can also be hacked. Back up your business’s data onto an external hard drive as well to make sure you’re covered in case of a ransomware attack.
Want to learn more? Let’s talk. Contact our team at 843-236-6436.
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