Ransomware remains the most serious cyber threat due to its financial and disruptive impact.
Ransomware is malicious software that makes data or computer systems unusable until the victim makes a payment, often in the form of hard-to-trace cryptocurrencies.
Cybercrime syndicates are evolving their tradecraft and business models. They are not only locking up victims' sensitive data, but increasingly threatening to release it to the public, which could damage reputations of both businesses and customers, harm operations and cost precious time.
On Thursday 11 August, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) will also launch a new tool to help people who believe they are a victim of a cyber-attack called 'Have you been hacked?' available at cyber.gov.au.
The Have you been hacked? tool is designed to step potential victims through a series of scenarios such as ransomware attacks, that help them assess if they've been hacked and guide them on how to respond. The ACSC also released updated ransomware advice to help individuals and businesses protect against and respond to ransomware attacks, available at cyber.gov.au/ransomware.
What can you do?
The best way to protect your business against a ransomware attack is to be prepared.
The ACSC is encouraging all businesses to protect themselves against ransomware attacks by taking the following steps:
- Regularly update devices and patch known security vulnerabilities.
- Install anti-virus software and turn on ransomware protection.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication.
- Set up and perform regular backups to an external storage device such as an USB stick or the cloud.
- Get to know your critical data.
- Prepare your emergency response plan.
Use the ACSC's learning resources
Businesses can learn how to protect their important information and data against ransomware by using our updated, easy-to-follow guides and tools, including: