Ransomware Removal & Prevention
Serving companies in Bradenton, SWFL
Ransomware can cause severe damage
Are you scrambling to find a solution?
Imagine walking into your business being unable to access your computer or read any of your files. No matter what you do, every single file on your computer is encrypted. While you start panicking over the fate of your files, you notice a screen on your computer stating you need to pay money to unlock your files! Unfortunately, you’re a victim of ransomware, which is one of the most crippling cyberattacks targeting businesses today.
We provide ransomware removal solutions and ransomware prevention services to companies in the Bradenton, SWFL area. Our ransomware removal services can help your organization ensure threats are removed from your network and computers, and your data is restored.
What does this mean for your business?
Save Your Files from Ransomware!
Call us at 239-323-0045
You can also fill out the form.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a piece of malware that infects your computer and blocks access to the computer or any files until a sum of money is paid to gain access.
How Does It Spread?
The most common delivery method is via email. The email may contain language to tempt you into clicking on a website link or downloading an attachment.
Should You Pay?
Paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee your files will be unlocked. In most cases, if you know your backups are up to date and unaffected, you do not have to pay.
Prevention Tips
The most important thing a business can do to prevent an attack is to regularly back up data. Staff should also know to never click on suspicious links or attachments.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a piece of malware that infects a computer, encrypts all files, and holds them hostage. A cybercriminal will then demand the victim pay a ransom to restore full access to the files.
In most cases, the victim has a time limit or deadline of when they have to pay the ransom, or they risk losing their files forever. However, even if you pay, the cybercriminal can continue to hold your data hostage and extort you for more money.
Types of Ransomware
There are three main types of ransomware, each ranging in severity:
Scareware appears in the form of pop-ups on your computer, claiming that a virus was discovered and the only way to get rid of it is to pay.
Screen lockers freeze your computer and display a full-screen message saying illegal activity has been detected on your computer and you must pay a fine.
Encryption is the worst type of ransomware infection you can get. Cyber criminals infect your computer, steal and encrypt your files, and then demand you pay money to unlock them. Once you’re infected with this, no security software or system restore can return your files to you. Recent examples of this include CryptoLocker and Ryuk.
How Does Ransomware Spread?
The most common delivery method for distributing ransomware is through email. Typically, it is spread using some form of social engineering, like phishing emails. The email may contain language to tempt you into clicking on a website link or downloading an attachment.
Once the user acts, either by clicking a link or downloading an attachment, the malware quietly installs itself on the system.
Another common entry point for ransomware are drive-by downloads. Drive-by downloads occur when a user visits a legitimate website, which an attacker has exploited using a vulnerability in the website.
Should You Pay the Ransom?
If you believe you’ve been infected with ransomware, the number one rule is to never pay the ransom. In fact, the FBI strongly encourages you don’t pay the ransom or try to negotiate with the cybercriminals. Paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee your files will be unlocked or unharmed.
If you know your backups are up to date and unaffected, you do not have to pay. If you’re not sure, it’s best to contact your IT support immediately for assistance and removal.
What to do if You're Infected
Ransomware spreads via your network connection. You need to locate the infected computer immediately and remove it from your office network. You must remove the computer as soon as possible to avoid it spreading to other systems. You can either disable internet access, unplug the Ethernet cord, or turn the computer off.
Ask the user if they opened any suspicious emails or noticed any irregular activity on their machine. If the ransomware originated from an email, notify the rest of your organization immediately to avoid further infection.
Once the computer has been isolated, contact your IT support team immediately so they can begin diagnosing the network and other systems, remedying the issue, and executing your disaster protocol.
How to Prevent a Ransomware Attack?
No organization can be 100% guaranteed to be safe from a ransomware attack. However, to increase prevention, your organization should:
- keep all operating systems and software patched and up-to-date
- avoid automatically opening email attachments or clicking website links
- have regular cyber security awareness training for staff
- regularly and consistently back up your data
Utilizing the 3-2-1 Backup strategy is perfect as it includes (3) copies of your data, stored in (2) different media types, with (1) located offsite.
Download IT Support RI’s 2020 Digital Cyber Security Playbook
Do you know what the “5 Most Common IT Mistakes” are?
The world of IT is constantly changing. Small and mid-sized businesses are put in the unique position of overseeing their own IT. However, for the average business owner, understanding and maintaining IT can be overwhelming. As a result, many businesses make the same 5 IT mistakes.
Examining these mistakes should help to:
- increase awareness
- improve the quality of your IT infrastructure in your office
- protect your business from a preventable IT catastrophe
Are You Making These IT Mistakes?
Find out today!
Don’t Take Our Word For It…Take Theirs!
Testimonials From Current Clients Enjoying Our IT Support
I met Paul while attending a conference. I expressed my concerns with my current tech support company. He offered to do an evaluation of my practice and I’m glad I took him up on that offer. During the evaluation, he pointed out many issues that my current IT guy was not addressing. My server was old and outdated, I had no backup system in place, no security for my network, and all my Nidek devices were not working together with Revolution EHR. Paul and his team also quickly realized that we were victims of the CryptoLocker virus and expressed how important backups are.
I went with Paul and his team at IT Support SWFL as my new IT support company. I am passionate about technology and they have my advanced devices working the way they should now. I have all my Nidek hardware like my Optomap, Refractor, and Auto-Lensmeter working with my Revolution EHR which was something my previous tech guy couldn’t get working. I am happy my network is secure and I have the peace of mind that I have backups of all my important information. Everything that Paul pointed out in the original visit has now been corrected and is working the way it should. I recommend Paul and his team to anyone in the medical field, especially other optometrists.
We love working with everyone at IT Support SWFL! Before, I never had the confidence before to get rid of any files documents. I refused to scan any documents or throw anything away because I never trusted the backups would actually work. Now, I sleep better knowing that I don’t have to worry. If something happens, I know I can give you a call and I’ll be up and running in no time. I feel so good now about everything. It’s changed the way we can run the office.
Start focusing on your business, not your IT problems.
Want to learn more about IT Support SWFL? Read our book!
IT Free Fall:
The Business Owner’s Guide To Avoiding Technology Pitfalls
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