What is ransomware? Ransomware is a malicious software that encrypts data on a computer in order to extort money from the user before giving access to it. Once a workstation or server is infected, the workstation connects to a control server in the cloud to receive an encryption key that will be used to encrypt the data it will find on its way. This is how the work begins, the virus loops to find files on the infected computer or elsewhere on the network (including servers). It is very difficult to see whether a ransomware is active on a workstation. Once the fraudulent work is finished, the ransomware replaces the wallpaper of the infected workstation with a message clearly notifying the user that “it has 72 hours to pay the ransom in order to be able to access its data again”. The files will remain on disks and servers, but none will be accessible or functional, as they will all be encrypted at a very high level of security. Believe it or not, several decades would be necessary to decode the files, even with the most powerful computers available on the planet. Its operation is very simple You can receive an email with a file of an alleged invoice. As soon as you click on it to see what it is, the pirate who sends it accesses the system and blocks any access to that information. From that moment, pirates extort and threatens you in exchange for recovering data. Suddenly you will find that your service, your website or your computer is absolutely blocked, and only he can (cyber-criminal responsible for the attack) free your data (after receiving payment). For More Details VisitPrecision7:Ransomware: What it is and how to stay safe? ...read more

In the last decade we have seen a huge increase in the use of the Internet around the world and now almost every company has an online presence. The dramatic increase in domestic and business users has made the digital world more complex and as a result, security risks have become more common and sophisticated. As far as the criminals of cyber world are concerned, the numbers show a steady increase in cyber-attacks, information leaks, and hacks. Here is a list of the main security risks that must be taken into account when implementing an efficient cyber-security plan: Cloud Services More and more companies are turning to such systems for their flexibility and ability to store large amounts of information. For this reason, they are an attractive target for hackers, since even a small security breach can be disastrous. To prevent this, companies have to discuss and demand the best security systems from their service providers. Social Media Social media is considered the main threat because of its growing popularity and diversity. With the arrival of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and numerous other platforms, hackers have access to countless attack routes. Social networks connect people, but through chains of friends and acquaintances, accompanied by a convincing profile and unexpected requests for friendship can become the best breeding ground for information leakage and with the help of a system of poor security can even topple large companies. Internal Risk Factors Security experts know that some of the most dangerous cyber-attacks come from the inside. These attacks can have a devastating effect, especially since a privileged user knows what data to use or destroy. Recent studies conducted by the CERT Insider Threat Center at the Institute of Software Engineering at Carnegie University and supported by the US Secret Service have shown that malicious users within organizations are detected only after 32 months. The most vulnerable areas are financial institutions, such as banks and stock exchanges. Unfortunately, the only way to protect a company from this threat is to carefully evaluate its own workforce, which is itself a very difficult task. HTML Security The recent implementation of the new HTML 5 protocol means that there is a high risk of security breaches in this standard. The new protocol allows the connection of several technologies that might not work safely together, which may allow hackers to do their job without being identified. Although HTML 5 has improved a lot in the last two years, it is still a new protocol, and therefore more likely that developers who use it comment on errors that could compromise the integrity of systems. In fact, some experts expect an increase in cyber-attacks. For More Detail Visit atPrecision7:Cyber-security Risks in the Digital Era ...read more