” 90% of ransomware attacks impacted a company’s operational capacity “, We can learn from an infographic published by the Sophos company, one of the world leaders in cybersecurity. Despite this state of affairs, few companies are aware of the risks of cyberattacks. Today we tell you everything you need to know about ransomware or ransomware in French.
“We may have reached a peak in the evolution of ransomware”
According to the reference site set up by the French government, cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, a ransomware or a ransomware is ” malware or a virus that blocks access to the computer or its files and requires the victim to pay a ransom to regain access. This type of threat is one of the most widespread in the world. In April 2022, Sophos’ business advanced, in Ransomware status 2022, that 66% of companies were affected by ransomware in 2021 compared to 37% in 2020. This corresponds to a 78% increase in one year. “We may have reached a peak in the evolution of ransomware “, Says Chester Wisniewski, chief scientific officer of Sophos.
The cybermalveillance.gouv.fr site explains that some attacks aim to damage the computer system of victims to damage their image or cause them to suffer operational losses. But cyber attacks carried out by malicious software are mainly aimed at extorting money from victims. In its survey, Sophos reveals that 46% of attacked companies paid the required ransom, while only 4% of them were able to recover all their data.
How to prevent cyber attacks?
To protect yourself from ransomware and prevent possible attacks on your data, the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty has published a list of suggestions. The first is to make regular backups of your data to an external hard drive. The ministry’s website also recommends not opening messages whose origin seems questionable. “Be very vigilant! Some messages seem quite authentic. If in doubt, contact the messenger by another means“. We also recommend that you update your working software.”Dead operating systems, which are no longer updated, offer attackers an easier way to access your systems“Explains the ministry.
If, despite these tips, you are a victim of ransomware, it is advisable to notify your company’s IT department very quickly if you have one. Otherwise, it is imperative to contact a remote IT support service to quickly take the necessary measures. It is also recommended not to pay the ransom and to file a complaint. The cybermalveillance.gouv.fr site also reminds that the attack must be notified to the Commission Nationale Informatique et Liberté (CNIL) if it is of a personal nature.
In order to better inform and raise awareness about ransomware attacks, the National Agency for the Security of Information Systems (ANSSI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, has published a guide which is aimed at business leaders, IT managers and experts.
