Ransomware Attacks Are Increasing on Android

It’s no secret that cyberattacks are increasing dramatically in scale and frequency, which is why we need to practice safer online habits such as being aware of the latest scams, creating strong and complex passwords, and avoiding suspicious or odd links or apps. Still, even the safest online practices can’t always protect you from malware or security breaches. To be safer online, you should run regular virus scans on your device to check for the latest malware and security threats. Perform a quick Security Scan on your device whenever you don’t have the time to run a Full Virus Scan:

Ransomware Expected to Further Increase

In 2016, ransomware attacks increased on both a small and large scale, targeting individuals and corporations alike. Some of the largest ransomware attacks in 2016 included attacks on many news outlets like the BBC and The New York Times, various major hospitals and universities, and the San Francisco subway system, among numerous others. Other major cyberattacks — that aren’t ransomware-specific — included the Dyn DDoS attack, reports of various major Yahoo data breaches, and the attacks on AdultFriendFinder.com.

Cybercriminals executed many effective ransomware attacks in 2016, which means they’re not likely to stop in 2017. These types of cyberattacks are expected to increase further this year, especially for businesses. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you backup all important data, and make sure that you and your business employees are aware of various online scams and malware, so that you can avoid becoming a victim of a ransomware attack. One person who’s poorly informed on cybersecurity could be the back door that the criminal needs to access a particular business.

Develop a Cybersecurity Plan

Criminals seek businesses that have poor cybersecurity, so you should make sure to regularly evaluate the security of your business and your cybersecurity plan, in order to update it to current trends. You should have a plan in place for responding to a ransomware attack, too. You should always strive to gain access to your data or compromised system — don’t simply pay the ransom. Further, make sure to report any ransomware attacks to the authorities. Depending on the nature of your business, you may also want to consider cybersecurity insurance.