Beware: Ransomware’s on the Rise! (2625)

Ransomware is one of the biggest security problems on the internet and one of the most challenging forms of cybercrime that organizations face today. Potentially everyone’s organizations’ data is under attack.

So what is it? Ransomware is a form of malicious software — malware — that encrypts files and documents on anything from a single PC all the way up to an entire network, including servers.

Ransom malware, prevents users from accessing their own systems or personal files. The attackers hold the data hostage, locking it up and demanding a ransom payment in order for the owner of the data to regain access. And even on paying up, there may be issues.

The earliest variants of ransomware were developed in the late 1980s, and payment was to be sent via snail mail. Today the hijackers more often demand payment in bitcoin.

Joining hosts Dennis McCuistion and Jim Falk are experts in the cyberspace arena:

Richard A. Clarke, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Middle East Institute, America’s first czar of cybersecurity and counter-terrorism, and author of The Fifth Domain, and

Katy Montgomery, Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications at Cyber Defense Labs.

So what do we do to protect our data from being kidnapped? And what are the chances that you will be a victim of ransomware? What with more individuals working from home and accessing company data on less than secure servers, the issues are growing, are expensive, and can put an organization out of business.

We welcome your feedback.

Niki McCuistion, niki@nikimccuistion.com.

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