Tips To Prevent A Ransomware Infection In Your Calgary Business
In recent months, Calgary businesses have been hit hard by ransomware infections. These malicious software programs can encrypt important data and demand a ransom to unlock it. This has caused significant headaches for businesses of all sizes, as valuable time and money are lost.
We sat down with several leading IT professionals to better understand how to protect Calgary businesses from this growing threat. They offered several helpful tips, including:
- Keep your software up to date: Troy Drever with Calgary’s Pure IT (https://www.pureit.ca/it-services-calgary/) Software updates often include important security patches that can help to protect your system from known threats. Be sure to install updates as soon as they are available.
- Educate your employees: Jorge Rojas from Vaughan, ON (https://www.tek-help.com/it-services-vaughan-on/). Ensure your employees know the risks of clicking on unknown links or opening attachments from unfamiliar email addresses. A little education can go a long way in protecting your business from ransomware.
- Back up your data: Nick Nouri with Compunet in Vancouver (https://www.compunet.ca) If your system is infected with ransomware, having a recent backup can help you to recover your data without paying the ransom. Be sure to store backups offline to avoid them being encrypted as well.
By following these simple tips, you can help to protect your Calgary business from the threat of ransomware.
What Is Ransomware And Why Are Calgary Businesses At Risk?
Ransomware is malicious software that can encrypt important data on your system, making it inaccessible. The attacker will then demand a ransom to provide the decryption key. This can be a significant problem for businesses, as valuable time and money can be lost.
Calgary businesses are at risk of ransomware infections for many reasons. First, the city is home to several large businesses that are attractive targets for attackers. Additionally, using outdated software and weak passwords can make spreading ransomware throughout a system easier.
Should Calgary Businesses Pay The Ransom?
There is no easy answer to this question. In some cases, paying a ransom may be the only way to recover important data. However, there is no guarantee that the attacker will provide the decryption key even if the ransom is paid. Additionally, paying the ransom can encourage attackers to target other businesses.
As a general rule, Calgary businesses should only pay the ransom if they cannot recover their data. If possible, you should attempt to restore your data from a backup. Otherwise, you may need to consult with a professional IT company to see if any other options are available.
Who Can Help Businesses In Calgary Recover From A Ransomware Attack?
Pure IT (https://www.pureit.ca) is one of the only Calgary IT companies that help organizations recover from a ransomware attack and, more importantly, prevent a ransomware attack from occurring. Their team of experienced IT professionals can help you assess the risks, implement security measures, and ensure your data is backed up.
If you suspect that your business has been infected with ransomware, or if you want to learn more about protecting your organization, contact Pure IT today. They are one of the top IT firms in Calgary that can help.
Troy Drever from Pure IT recently shared experiences with one Calgary business and the town of Didsbury that fell victim to a ransomware attack. Read about it here.
