As you may have already heard, a malicious worm known as WannaCry Ransomware swept through more than 150 countries, infecting over 200,000 vulnerable computer systems. We understand this is a major concern and have taken every precaution to ensure you are safe.
WannaCry Estimated to Have Infected Over 200k Computers World Wide
We take security very seriously and work hard every day to ensure your network keeps up its defenses against these types of cyber attacks. On March 14th Microsoft released a security patch that would protect systems against cyber attacks like WannaCry. Our patch management methods ensure that all clients on an IT support plan are already protected from this variant of the attack.
Is our network 100% protected?
There are no silver bullets in network security so we always suggest additional layers of security in addition to patch management. By adding both gateway and endpoint security to your network, we significantly reduce the likelihood of cyber attacks creating problems for you. If you are currently not on active subscriptions to these services, we will be contacting you with options.
What is WannaCry Ransomware?
WannaCry is a destructive ransomware that searches for and encrypts specific file types. Once the computer has been infected a ransom note is displayed asking the victim to pay a ransom in bitcoins within 7 days or the files will be deleted. The files are held hostage until the ransom is paid. There is no guarantee that the files will be released once the ransom has been paid.
Who is Impacted?
Individuals can be infected and any unpatched Windows computer is susceptible. As of May 15th 2017 it is estimated that over 220 thousand computers worldwide have been infected.
How Can I Stay Protected?
- Keep your security software up to date.
- Keep your operating system and other software updated.
- Be cautious of emails containing links and/or attachments.
- Be cautious of emails received from unknown senders.
- Be extremely cautious of Microsoft Office emails advising you to enable macros to view the content.
- Back up important data and store off line. If you have a backup set in place, all files can be restored.
- Outsource your network security and management to your favorite IT support company.
If you do not currently have a partner in IT, reach out today and put your network security worries to rest.
