As the threat of “WannaCry” ransomware exploits winds down, a specialized cybersecurity panel presented at a recent “RiskSec” Conference, held in Toronto during the first week of June stated that ransomware attacks will now more than likely increase. Ransomware will also start targeting the user’s back-up files. The security research also panel reported details of a new ransomware named “Jaff” which has been designed to target a user’s back-up files. The back-up files are the only safe haven and defense in the case of getting hit with ransomware with your regular files in the first place. Unfortunately, at this time keeping your backup-files is the only listed and verified defense against getting hit with ransomware. The panel at the “RiskSec” conference reported that at least one targeted ransomware attack occurred in which attackers had located and deleted an entire enterprise system’s network backup-files by using the new Jaff ransomware. According to the members of the panel, in one of the sessions focusing on how companies can effectively defend themselves against trending ransomware threats, stated that system users and administrators would need to follow proposed guidelines by implementing diligent patching, installing and configuring software properly, and creating and storing back-up files in more than one location. The three suggested methods will greatly assist users and admins in protecting their systems from ransomware’s future threats. Mr. Steve Reinkemeyer, CEO and founder of Redport Information Assurance, LLC believes by following these suggested procedures that it would most definitely assist in mitigating such ransomware threats well into the future.

Reference: https://www.scmagazine.com/expect-ransomware-to-increasingly-target-back-up-files-panelist-warns/article/668421/

By Dr. Randall Sylvertooth


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Gaithersburg, MD, USA