Malware, Viruses & Ransomware are on the rise!

This is not a scare tactic, but an aware tactic… Malware, Viruses & Ransomware are on the rise!

Computer data breach victims have increased by 1000% in Q2 2024 (according to multiple security sources). Recently some big-name businesses like Disney, Rite Aid, Ticketmaster, and AT&T, to name a few, have all been victims of Ransomware and data breaches. Smaller businesses have been hit as well. The average extortion demand per business Ransomware attack was over $5.2m in the first half of 2024, according to a new analysis by Comparitech.

(Ransomware is a type of malware attack in which the attacker locks and encrypts the victim’s data, and important files and then demands a payment to unlock and decrypt the data).

FOR OUR BUSINESS CLIENTS:
Insurance companies now require cybersecurity for their tech E&O policies coverage for losses resulting from security breaches, ransomware, etc. And most insurance companies will discount your policy with proper cyber security in place.

This is why we have partnered with ThreatDown powered by Malwarebytes, for 24/7 security monitoring (for Mac and PC) against Malware, Viruses, Ransomware, and more. ThreatDown is for our business clients (We have already set up some of our business clients with ThreatDown), to get protected before they become victims with Managed Detection & Response (including Threat Hunting).

Please feel free to contact us and see how we can protect you and your business at 818-252-9165

FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL CLIENTS:
For personal protection, we suggest using Malwarebytes for cybersecurity protection which can include: malware, viruses, ransomware, and phishing protection. Other plans include VPN and Dark Web Monitoring.

We have installed Malwarebytes on many of our residential client computers, and found malware and viruses on their computers, and quarantined and removed them.

If you don’t have cybersecurity installed on your computer it’s time to get it done. It is a free download and free to use and Malwarebytes offers upgradeable plans for more security and automated protection. Available for both the Mac and PC.

You can download Malwarebytes here https://www.malwarebytes.com.

DATA BREACHES AND THE DARK WEB:
You should check if any websites you have registered with your name, address, credit card, etc… have been breached. A couple of ways to do this and a dark web scan is via credit check sites like CreditKarma, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. You can also see if your credit has been hit with ID theft. Some email hosting companies like Google offer free dark web scans with your Gmail account at one.google.com

Armed with this information gives you the tools you need to help protect your ID and credit.