Are You Safe From Ransomware?
You may have heard of the ransomware attack that began in Europe Friday and has since locked thousands of computers in over 150 countries, including the United States.
The identity of the person who deployed the software is unknown. The ransomware attack used software stolen from the National Security Agency (“NSA”). Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith compares this theft to “the U.S. military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen.” For more information on this ransomware attack, check out this NPR article.
What this ransomware attack has highlighted is not only the need to have a Cybersecurity Policy in place, but the need to constantly test your procedures, update software for patches that will prevent malware and educate your staff. Many businesses get computer viruses because an employee opened an email that appeared to be from a legitimate sender or visited seemingly trustworthy websites. Three-quarters of malware and computer viruses come from social media and many hide as apps for your phone.
Even with the best antivirus products, not all malware will be detected.
Antivirus products use a virus’ signature to identify and eliminate them. When a virus has no signtaure, your antivirus software won’t identify it. In these situations, having a backup of your data that doesn’t automatically sync with your computer or use the internet can be extrememly useful. By shielding your backup from potential sources of malware, you can feel certain that the data has not been corrupted.
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Author Bio
Leila Shaver is the Founder of My RIA Lawyer, a law firm that provides compliance and legal consulting for financial institutions. With extensive experience as a securities attorney and compliance expert, she has served as Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel to RIAs, BDs, and TAMPs with billions in assets under management.
Leila understands the challenges RIAs face and is committed to helping RIAs streamline their processes, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. She received her Juris Doctor from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and is a West Georgia Young Lawyers’ Association member. Leila has received numerous accolades for her work, including the Carroll County Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award in 2017.