“Windows tool forum IObit hacked, ransomware hunts members” – heise online

“Ransomware and DDoS against IoT systems” – Security Insider

“Conti Group confesses to ransomware attack on Scottish authority” – it-daily.net

“Killer’s Security: Ransomware paralyzes newspaper publisher” – BR24

“Ransomware also rages in the healthcare sector” – 8com GmbH & Co. KG

You only have to click through the “News” tab on Google under the search term “Ransomware” to find numerous headlines of this kind in the last few days and weeks alone.

But what is ransomware?
Ransomware is “malicious software” that wants to infiltrate your device without you realizing it. Ransomware is distributed via email attachments, infected programs and compromised websites, among other things. It usually locks users out of their device or infrastructure. In addition, their data is encrypted and usually only released again against payment of a ransom. This is an attack on the security objective of availability and a form of digital blackmail.

There are two main types of ransomware – locker ransomware and crypto-ransomware.

Locker ransomware attackers lock users out of their devices so that they can no longer use them. The hackers then demand a ransom to unlock the device again.

However, companies are usually attacked by the crypto variant, as individual devices can be replaced – but company data cannot.

Crypto-ransomware encrypts important company data and users lose access to it. The virus can also specifically infect those servers, network components or devices that are not secured with the latest methods and solutions. They therefore look for the weakest link within the structure. From there, they then begin to spread or open doors for further malware. In order to recover the data, the cyber criminals demand high ransom payments.

The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) published a situation report in 2020. This describes the threat posed by ransomware and shows the consequences of such attacks: https://www.bsi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/BSI/Publikationen/Lageberichte/Lagebericht2020.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2

But how can companies protect themselves against such attacks? Client & server management for ransomware monitoring
It is undoubtedly a good and important approach to use good protection software on users’ PCs and to regularly sensitize employees to the dangers of using IT systems. However, it is just as important to continuously monitor less obvious areas such as servers, network components, firewalls and other devices in the network for vulnerabilities.

Our “Managed Server” and “Managed Clients” service packages are designed precisely for this purpose and do not only act when problems arise, but proactively ensure that as few arise as possible.

We ensure that your systems are at a uniform software level. Continuous updates close potential security gaps before an “emergency”/operational standstill occurs. Our services also offer very specific monitoring for ransomware. If malware is detected on a device or system drive, a warning is triggered. At the same time, the device is isolated from the network so that the malware cannot spread and attempts are made to clean the affected device of the malware.

With accompio’s managed services, you have the best protection and can work continuously!