How Malware can Impact your Business

How Malware can Impact your Business 1

Malware attacks on businesses are becoming more frequent. In 2017, cyber-attacks cost companies an average of over two million dollars. You need to be aware of malicious code that can attack your business computer systems because it harms you and your company and can damage your employees and clients.

Malware can Impact your Business

Attacks on your business network can come in a variety of forms. Any software that can negatively affect a computer can be considered malware. The term is an abbreviation for “malicious software.” These harmful pieces of software are designed to invade, damage, or turn off computer systems and devices such as laptops, phones, and tablets.

The purpose of malicious code is usually to try and make money somehow. They can go after your data by damaging or encrypting it. Hence, it’s unusable or can cripple a computer system’s core functioning, making it inaccessible or inoperable. Malicious code can also spy on your activities to learn about your spending habits or find out private information that can be used to blackmail you or gain access to your financial accounts.

Common types of attacks on businesses

One common and costly attack aimed at businesses is ransomware, usually delivered via a Trojan horse. This program tricks you into downloading and installing a piece of software that appears harmless. Once the program is installed on your system, the ransomware encrypts the files on the infected computer and pops up a message that demands a Bitcoin payment to recover the files.

Another common attack is the Distributed Denial of Service attack, abbreviated DDoS. This attack is designed to overwhelm and render a network system inoperable so it can no longer serve clients, employees, and other users. The attacker’s main goal is usually not to gain anything financially but to cause harm to a business out of spite, revenge, or amusement.

Businesses are also commonly targeted by “phishing” schemes. These attacks masquerade as an institute or website where you’re prompted for private information such as credit card numbers, passwords, and social security numbers. This type of scheme usually aims to gain access to your system to try and steal your money or spy on your business proceedings.

To hack into your systems, criminals sometimes use a variety of password attacks that utilize hacking software. This is usually accomplished with a brute force method that tries millions of combinations until the correct password is inputted and the targeted page or application interface is opened. If you use strong passwords and change them frequently, these attacks are usually unsuccessful.

After a quick, easy payday from a ransomware attack or grabbing money from an account, attackers usually are after a fast, easy payday from a ransomware attack. More serious attacks can cause a lot of damage to a business network and operations that cause a disruption of service to customers. These scenarios can cost a lot of money.

What can you do?

To safeguard your business, use best practices with keeping antivirus programs up to date. Keeping all software and operating systems patched with the latest security updates is also important. Ensure that all employees use strong passwords and change them frequently, and everyone should be aware of common phishing schemes and avoid falling into the most common traps.

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