WannaCry is a malicious software package that is perhaps one of the most well-known “brands” of RansomWare to the general public, due to all of the headlines it made when it first began affecting computers around the globe on May 12, 2017. This particular RansomWare worm targeted computers that were running Microsoft Windows, and it used the EternalBlue exploit to take advantage of a particular vulnerability in the operating system’s Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. Once inside, it installed another backdoor tool known as DoublePulsar, which transferred and ran the WannaCry RansomWare package to the infected computer system.
Due to so many computers being affected and the worm targeting the Microsoft operating systems alone, the company made an unprecedented emergency patch available to Windows users to include Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003. However, for those who were affected, which included over 230,000 computers from over 150 countries, including FedEx, parts of Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), Hitachi, Renault, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, it was already too late.
How RansomWare Works
If you have a computer or network that is infected by RansomWare, the software locks up access to all of the files and folders on the computer, as well as files that are accessible via the server. It leaves behind a note, much like a “ransom note,” for which the malicious software package is named. A specific price to retrieve the files is demanded via bitcoin however, in many instances, access to the files is still not provided. Once infected, the only way to retrieve your data is through a local backup or a remote cloud backup system. If you do not have a backup, you will lose access to all of your data files and folders.
In addition to locking up your files and folders, RansomWare also locks down your essential programs, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, the Adobe suite, PowerPoint, and many others. The cost to recover from a RansomWare attack can be considerable, with the average cost running somewhere around $750 per device. The best way to beat RansomWare is to prevent it from ever getting onto your system in the first place. RansomWare protection in Boston and the surrounding area is available through Synivate, a leader in innovative technology solutions. Many companies are now offering RansomWare protection as part of or in addition to their remote monitoring management solutions.
Are You Protected?
Experts say that companies should think about RansomWare protection in Boston as a form of business insurance. Most people wouldn’t dream of operating a business without some form of liability insurance, yet a large majority of businesses are running unprotected from this malicious software package and other harmful threats. Boston managed computer services through Synivate can help to protect your office computers and network from attack. There isn’t just one single program that can be downloaded to prevent RansomWare, it requires a comprehensive solution, as well as training and education for your staff.
Synivate provides custom offerings for remote monitoring management services, including RansomWare protection in Boston and the surrounding area. Because of the way that RansomWare burrows into a network, it is important to create a multi-faceted pro-active line of defense that includes a spam email filter, managed secure firewall, website content filtering, a managed workstation firewall, a managed anti-virus, and a managed anti-malware program. These services work to block malicious email servers, malicious web links and servers, known viruses and trojans, plus it prevents malware from running and works to stop cross-spreading to other computers.
Educating and Training Your Staff
Another part of providing Greater Boston managed computer services is taking the time to educate your employees. Anyone that is on a computer in your office and on your network needs to be educated regarding the difference between valid and malicious emails. End-user education is crucial to the success of any protection service. Windows patching and updates are also imperative, and your employees need to be aware of the seriousness of this activity. Remote monitoring management services can take care of operating system patches and updates for you, but it is still important for your staff to know how critical these updates can be.
A disaster recovery plan designed to recover all of your files, software, and systems after an attack should also be employed. While many of these programs and services can protect you from known viruses and trojans, new threats are being developed every day. In addition to cyber attacks, other factors must be considered that could pose a threat to your data. Simple human error, power surges and outages, fires, floods, extreme storms – there are lots of things that could cause you to lose data. However, if you have a disaster recovery plan and have your system backed up via remote monitoring management services, your losses will be minimal.
Contact Synivate for Innovative Technology Solutions
If you are in the market for Greater Boston area managed computer services or would like to learn more about remote monitoring management and disaster recovery solutions, contact Synivate by calling 617-517-0704. Our team of highly trained technicians can help you find the best option for your unique system, needs, and budget. We offer a vast array of services, including RansomWare protection in Boston for small and large businesses. Call today and get a FREE quote on any of our solutions or services.