More and more often we see alarming messages about Ransomware. Organizations that are affected pay hundreds of thousands of euros to get access to their own data. What is Ransomware and what can you do about it?

What is it?
Ransom malware, or Ransomware, is a type of malware (malicious software) that prevents users from accessing their system or files. The inventors and distributors of the Ransomware then demand a ransom so that you can access your own data again.

How does it get on your system?
Ransomware can infect your system in various ways: via mail spam, unsolicited e-mail that puts malware on your computer. This e-mail often contains an attachment with a dangerous code that can be hidden in PDF or Word files. There may also be links to malicious websites. You can also be redirected through malicious advertisements on valid websites to malicious websites that infect your system.

How often does it happen?
Unfortunately, the numbers don’t lie. At the end of 2017, more than 35% of companies (SMEs) were victims of an attack with Ransomware.

What can I do about it?

• Good computer security: there is good software available that can protect your systems against malware attacks in real time. Good network security in combination with good detection and protection software are a first requirement. In addition, it is important that you regularly provide your systems and operating systems with available (safety) updates and patches.
• Use your common sense: Clicking on attachments or links in unknown emails (or emails that seem deceptively real) is the main threat. Making people aware of these risks and learning to deal with these threats is an important measure.
• Backup regularly: Once you are infected with Ransomware and you can no longer access your data, what is more convenient than having a backup of your data in a safe place? However, most Ransomware is so smart that it does not activate immediately. It often takes a few days to weeks (or even longer) before the Ransomware becomes active. In that time, the Ransomware may already have been included in your backups and your backups will no longer be available after you restore your apparently secure data. It is therefore important to make regular and long-term backups. Consider a daily backup in combination with a week backup, a month backup and even a quarter or year backup. Retention (keeping enough versions long enough) is essential to be able to return to an uncontaminated system.

What can Softcrow mean for you?
All online escrow schemes (including SaaS Escrow, SaaSSecure and CloudSecure) contain an online depot of source code and (depending on the scheme) a data depot. When submitting the deposit you can indicate how often (frequency) this happens and how many versions must be saved (retention). Careful use of these options can protect you against the consequences of Ransomware.

If you do not have an escrow arrangement with Softcrow, you can also use our SecureStorage to store your data with us at the frequency and retention you require. As with all online depots in our SecureStorage, the data is encrypted both during online transport (VPN, SFTP) and during storage.

If you are interested, ask about the possibilities.