Beware Ransomware: 3 Simple Electronic Security Tips for Your Business

As a business owner, you know you have to stay on top of a lot of different things. But how much thought do you give to electronic security and scams? If you are not considering this now, you might have to when you find yourself separated from a lot of valuable data while the information is held ransom by hackers.

According to the Associated Press, electronic ransom is all the rage, with hackers increasingly demanding bitcoin payments from unwary users who open their "ransomware" and have to fork over to access their files. Here are three simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim.

3 Simple Steps

There are things you can do to ensure that your business stays safe and that everyone in the office or shop knows how to handle suspicious mail and funky links. Consider the following:

1. Back It Up: It is easy to forget to back up files and think archiving your email will do the trick. But don't let that be your only method of maintaining duplicates of important information. Simple steps go a long way, so duplicate in many places -- if you have copies of everything you need, you can't be the victim of someone's skills and greed.
2. Update Your Software: Just like backing up files, software updates can seem time consuming and, frankly, like a pain. But it's worth doing them, and you could probably benefit from a few minutes to breathe while your machines are busy. Keeping your software up to date is a very easy way to stay ahead of the crooks.
3. Train Employees on Cyber Hygiene: Cyber hygiene is like brushing your teeth -- a simple and gratifying habit that should be shared with those who are unaware of its benefits. Train your staff on appropriate electronic engagement. Not all email is good email. Watch for strange attachments from strangers and don't click on weird links. Curiosity killed the cat and could do that to your computer if you and your staff are not careful.

The AP reports that about 2,450 ransomware attacks were responsible for more than $24 million in losses last year. The alarming thing is that these figures represent nearly half of the cost in attacks for the last decade, and that the hackers are keeping the pace this year.

Talk to a Lawyer

If you are concerned about your data security or any other aspect of your business operations, speak to a lawyer. An attorney can advise you on a wide range of matters, providing guidance and advice so that you don't have to be the only one on top of things.

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Related Resources:

• Browse Business and Commercial Lawyers by Location (FindLaw Directory)
• Steps to Prevent Identity Theft (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Business Data Breach and Customer ID Theft (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)
• Detecting Identity Theft (FindLaw's Learn About the Law)