Ransomware targeting schools becoming a serious problem
You’re target No. 1 for hackers. Get this: 80% of schools suffered ransomware attacks last year. That number is only growing.
We’re No. 1
Security company Sophos polled IT professionals, including 400 who work in education. U.S. institutions are a “prime target” — much more than schools in other countries.
Why? Problem one is that schools (and their data) aren’t as well protected as major businesses. They’re an easier target. Problem two: They’ve given in too often. The report shows that 47% of last year’s ransomware attacks led to payments. Hackers will keep shaking a tree that rains cash.
How does your industry fare?
Here’s a breakdown of ransomware attacks by industry.
- Lower education: 80%
- Higher education: 79%
- Construction: 71%
- Central/federal government: 70%
- Media, leisure, entertainment: 70%
- Local/state government: 69%
- Retail: 69%
- Energy, oil/gas, utilities: 67%
- Distribution and transport: 67%
- Financial services: 64%
“So, Kim, how the heck do I avoid this stuff?”
The short answer: Sound cybersecurity comes from the top down, and you can’t overcome a company’s inadequate security practices alone. What you can do is be extra aware, especially if you work in one of the industries above.
Think twice before you click links, don’t download attachments you weren’t expecting, keep an eye on your work laptop and phone, and immediately report anything amiss to your IT department.
New password rules to secure your accounts
Strong, unique passwords are your first defense against unauthorized access to your devices and personal information. The better the password, the more secure your computer or device will be from threat actors.
The thing is that a good password is not enough. It must be paired with other security practices for optimum protection. Just a few extra steps can go a long way in preventing disaster.
Free VPN caught leaking user data
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Some things aren’t worth trying for free. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is at the top of that list. There’s just too much temptation for cybercriminals to hack into those that aren’t adequately secured or for shady developers to offer “free” software that tracks your every move.
Ransomware: Yes, you're vulnerable to this, too. Here's how to stay safe
Online scams have been around since the internet entered the public space. When online shopping and surfing were new, people didn’t consider fraud and crooks quickly moved their craft into the digital space.
We can now access the internet from anywhere thanks to smartphones, tablets and laptops. While convenient, this has only helped to spread crooked activity. With nearly 2 million apps in Apple’s App Store, some are inevitably fraudulent. Tap or click to see how bad apps have scammed iPhone users out of nearly $50 million.