800,000 businesses fall victim to ransomware each year
Malware comes in many forms — some download applications for complete control over your device, while others infiltrate your crypto wallets or read private messages. You can be targeted via email, fake websites, or even an innocent-looking photo editing program. Tap or click here for 36 malicious apps to watch out for.
Among the worst attacks is when hackers hold your documents, data and private information hostage. This is known as ransomware, which locks down your computer or device, cutting off your access. You can only regain control of your data if you pay the hackers their financial demand.
The larger the company, the more ransom is demanded. Read on to see what you can do to safeguard your files.
Here’s the backstory
Earlier this year, McDonald’s suffered a ransomware attack. Two months before that, payroll company Kronos experienced the same fate, causing millions to get their paychecks later than usual. Tap or click here to check out our full report.
Those are just two examples of ransomware that made it into the news, but research from Check Point indicates that one in 40 businesses fall victim to this kind of cybercrime every year. That might not seem like a lot until you realize that over 30 million businesses were operating in the U.S. in 2019.
That means over 800,000 companies are hit by ransomware annually. It’s easy to see why it’s such a lucrative venture for hackers, as ransom demands are often set in the millions of dollars per attack.
The average weekly attacks per organization worldwide reached a peak of 1,200 — an increase of 32% compared to last year. In addition, the most heavily attacked business sectors are education and research, increasing by 53%.
Another worrying statistic points to a 59% increase in ransomware globally compared to last year’s period. Africa was the hardest hit, while the U.S. saw a 1% increase, with average weekly attacks targeting one in 108 companies.
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What you can do about it
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