If we talk about ransomware and remote work we can say that they are two terms that are very present today. On the one hand, we have one of the most dangerous and frequent varieties of network attacks that affect private users and companies. On the other hand, teleworking has increased a lot in recent months due to everything related to the Covid-19 pandemic. And yes, both are closely linked today, as we will see.
Ransomware and telecommuting, the formula that cybercriminals are looking for
Hackers often set their sights on what hosts the most users, where they may have a higher chance of success, or the services that are most popular at any given time. That is why we sometimes see attacks directed at platforms that were more used at one time, more Phishing attacks related to purchases at times like Christmas, etc.
Cybercriminals are now taking advantage of the rise in teleworking to search for vulnerabilities and carry out a wide variety of attacks. However, according to the report we echo, what is especially increasing is ransomware. They use teleworking to infect computers with these types of threats.
Security at the company and workplace level is very important. There are many factors that influence. It is essential that we have our computers protected and that we do not make mistakes. What about telecommuting? Many users to carry out their functions have had to use their own home computers. These devices may not have the same security measures as those of the company, they may have vulnerabilities and hence hackers can exploit them.
This is what attackers are mainly taking advantage of to carry out ransomware attacks . We already know that this type of attack aims to encrypt the files and systems of the victims. In exchange they ask for a financial rescue to profit. It is a major problem that we must avoid at all costs.
To this must be added that for many workers it is now in these months that they are teleworking for the first time. They do not have the necessary knowledge to know how to protect themselves on the network, avoid those failures that expose security. All of this is exploited by cybercriminals.
Ransomware attacks are not unique to telecommuting, far from it. Nor is it the only threat that affects remote workers. However, we can say that they have an important link in recent months. Both terms are closely linked by what we have discussed.
How to protect ourselves from ransomware when telecommuting
It is essential that we properly protect ourselves from ransomware when we are working remotely. Something fundamental is to have the equipment properly protected. It is essential that they have the latest patches and updates to correct those vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
It is also very important to have safety programs . A good antivirus can prevent the entry of malware that in one way or another can damage our computers. This is something that we must apply in all types of operating systems, especially if we are using a personal computer.
But without a doubt the most important thing is going to be common sense . Avoid those mistakes that we can make, such as opening a malicious link, downloading a file that results in a threat, etc.