Cybersecurity Simplified: Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that blocks a user from accessing a computer system or files unless a sum of money is paid.

Ransomware turns the power and complexity of encryption against you. Encryption is meant to protect your data and files, but instead ransomware uses it to take your files hostage. This type of attack means being locked out of your documents, spreadsheets, photos and videos, backups, and other important files. It’s important to remember that an infected PC can spread the ransomware to other computers on your network.

Let’s look at an example scenario!

One of your employees receives an email from a friend and it includes a link to a video that shows how to make heart shapes out of boiled eggs using chopsticks. They are naturally intrigued so your employee follows the link and is asked to click Run.

Later that day, everything on their screen starts changing colors, and a window appears informing them that all the files on the computer have been hijacked and encrypted.

The window prompts that they won’t be able to access anything, unless they pay a ransom. Even worse, if they choose to not pay, they may never get access to their files again.

Crestwood Cloud Protection from Ransomware

We have encountered many instances of ransomware with our clients, but the ones using our Crestwood Cloud services experienced no downtime or loss of business. Our Crestwood Cloud is built on premium Microsoft cloud services and Crestwood is a certified Cloud Solution Provider (CSP).

On-premise or in the Cloud

Whether you have on-premise servers, or your systems are in the cloud, Crestwood offers a simple, efficient, and low-cost monthly backup service that can save your business.  We take your daily backups and securely store them away from attackers so that they can be restored within a matter of minutes.  This is extremely beneficial because not all cloud or routine backups have the point in time restore options to go back before a ransomware attack.

At Crestwood we use the Azure Recovery Services Vault.  This service was specifically designed for this type of attack.

1. First, these backups are not accessible to the machine that was backed up. In the case that your machine gets compromised, the attackers cannot get to your backups.  Think of it like the old days, when we did tape backups and moved them offsite.
2. Second, if your entire Azure tenant gets compromised, you can only submit a request to delete your backup. There are extra verification steps taken to get to your backups.
3. Third, Recovery Services Vault is geo-redundant, so for security reasons, there are at least 6 copies of your backups in different locations at all times.

Secure Your Business NOW!

We understand that you might not be ready to move everything to the cloud today, but Crestwood can give you peace of mind by securing your data with our backup services. We take backups of your on-premise machines, and move those to our Recovery Services Vault (in the cloud).  So, if you’re ever a victim of an attack, you can have the peace of mind that your data is safe and secure. It’s as easy as one simple phone call and your back-up in business within minutes. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to get set up.