Tag Archive for: safe

What Is Ransomware, How It Work And Ways To Stay Safe

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Have you ever woken up to a message demanding money in exchange for access to your computer? This isn’t a scene from a dystopian movie; it’s the chilling reality of ransomware, a form of cyber extortion that has become a major threat in today’s digital world.

Ransomware has become a pervasive cyber threat, wreaking havoc on individuals and businesses alike. According to a 2023 report by Cybersecurity Ventures, global ransomware damages are projected to reach a staggering $265 billion by 2031!

These attacks not only cause financial losses but can also disrupt critical operations, damage reputations, and even pose legal and regulatory challenges. But what is ransomware? How exactly does it work? Who are its common targets? And most importantly, how can you defend yourself from becoming the next victim? In this article, we’ll discuss these things in detail.

What is Ransomware?

What is Ransomware

Ransomware is a malicious software program, or malware, specifically designed to hold a victim’s data or device hostage. Imagine a digital kidnapper – ransomware encrypts your crucial files, databases, or even locks you out of your entire system. The attacker then demands a ransom payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key or regaining access.

Ransomware has become a significant threat in the digital age, causing billions of dollars in damages and disrupting businesses and individuals alike.

Types of Ransomware

There are two main types of ransomware, each employing a different tactic to extort victims:

  • Crypto-Ransomware (Encryptors): This is the most prevalent and well-known strain. Crypto-ransomware encrypts a victim’s valuable data, rendering it inaccessible. This could include essential documents, photos, financial records, or entire databases. The attacker then demands a ransom payment, typically in cryptocurrency, for the decryption key – the only way to unlock the files and regain access.
  • Locker Ransomware: This variant doesn’t encrypt files but rather locks the user out of their entire device or system. Imagine being blocked from your desktop screen, with a ransom note prominently displayed, demanding payment to regain control. While less sophisticated…

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Free Windows Security can keep your computer safe | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Android 15 Could Offer a Boost to Two-Factor Authentication Security to Keep User Data Safe: Report

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Android 15 is still under development, but on Friday, February 16, Google released the first Developer Preview of the upcoming operating system. The tech giant said that the new Android software will largely focus on security, and a new report claims to have found three new ways it will make your smartphone and your sensitive data more secure. According to it, Android 15 will be able to better protect the notifications that arise from two-factor authentications (2FA) so that a malicious app or malware cannot access it to steal user data.

According to a report by Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, Android 15 will be implementing new ways to cover the gaps left behind by its predecessors. Currently, most two-factor authentication methods for social media profiles, emails, and banking apps use SMS to send a one-time password (OTP). However, there is a risk if a malicious third-party app can read this notification and use it to hack into sensitive data or get into your banking apps and steal money.

To reduce the risk, Google has already begun placing strings of codes in the current edition of the OS. The report found a line of code in the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 update that mentions a new permission named RECEIVE_SENSITIVE_NOTIFICATIONS. This permission comes with a higher protection level and can only be given to apps that Google personally verifies. The exact role of this permission is not known but given its naming, it appears to deal with a special category of notifications that will not be accessible for third-party apps to read.

The report highlights that it is likely aimed at 2FA-related notifications. The belief comes from a separate string of code found by Rahman, which points to an under-development platform feature, to which the permission is tied. The feature is named NotificationListenerService and it is an API that lets apps read or take action on notifications. A general use case would be how many apps ask for access to notifications to auto-fill OTP when creating a new account. However, once this API becomes active (it isn’t in the Android 14 build), this will get more difficult.

This API will require the user to enter Settings and then manually grant permission to apps…

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Mid-West Data Depot offers safe, convenient server data backup storage

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businessman-showing-virtual-security

With the advent of computers came the need to store information. Nearly every business of every size has countless gigabytes of data related to their operations and their customers. Against the landscape of constant threats from computer viruses and cyber-attackers, data backups have become a big concern.

In the data industry, best practices call for following a 3-2-1 backup strategy; three copies of your data, using two different types of media, and one copy is stored offsite. That’s where Mid-West Data Depot comes in.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
The new service offered by media company Mid-West Family South Bend makes perfect sense: Companies need a safe place to store their data backups. Mid-West Data Depot is literally located inside a tornado shelter in South Bend that has redundant power supplies, four huge pipelines to the internet, security, and plenty of rack space for computer servers.

Data Depot site manager Bill Gamble said after you consider putting the right infrastructure in place, the business is straightforward.

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“It’s a place to store your data offsite. When we bought this building, it was already a data storage facility. Thick walls. No windows. We affectionately call it The Bunker. If there’s a disaster, this is where you want your data to be.”

STORED DATA IS SAFE DATA
Gamble said offsite data storage is growing in popularity.

“Data that isn’t backed up can be lost forever due to any number of issues. Our infrastructure means we’ll never lose power, we have reliable and redundant network connections, and there’s no weather that can compromise The Bunker. It’s that simple.”

Gamble points out that 43 percent of cyber incursions annually target small businesses. He adds that of those businesses, 46 percent have fewer than 1,000 employees.

“The scary thing is everyone’s going to get hacked eventually. What’s sad is that 70 percent of small businesses that suffer a catastrophic data breach close within a year. If you own a business, just ask your insurance agent if you can get a discount because you have an offsite backup.”

A LOCAL DATA DEPOT
One of the differentiators Gamble points to is…

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