

Discover our top 10 most common network security threats, and what tools to use in order to prevent them
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Ransomwares are powerful, malicious software through which hackers demand ransom payments. Increasingly widespread, they have made businesses their favourite target.
Ransomwares attack all types of devices: computers and servers, but also tablets and smartphones. The consequences of an infection are numerous and devastating:
The malware spreads:
Ransomware is the most prolific cyberthreat since the start of 2016. Police units but also medical organizations have paid the price. The Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center had their oncology and radiology services data hacked and paid $17k to the cybercriminals.
A veritable cybercrime industry is developing: a proportion of the money collected is reinvested in the development of new malwares. If the cyberattacks aim both for individuals and professionals, the hackers know that they can "cash in their services" at much higher rates with companies. Increasing numbers of ransomeware kits are available for purchase on the Dark Web which thus fosters their widespread diffusion.
According to one study, 72% of companies experienced a loss of access to their data for two days after a ransomware infection. 32% of companies couldn't access their data for a length of 5 days or more.
Without going into the ransom issue which is already a huge cost, the time and energy expended are equally huge. The attacked company must then restart the entire computing system, which means totally stopping workstations. This is a huge burden on the IT Systems department. What's more, this type of attack is a catastrophe for the company's image and has a very negative impact on the reputation of the latter.
Eight core habits to adopt:
Ransomwares keep finding victims in the professional world. They repressent a colossal cost and numerous nuisances for the company. The best way to avoid them is to install an up-to-date and powerful cybersecurity shield for better protection and efficient risk management.
To learn more, have a look at all of our antivirus articles.