May 12, 2017 saw one of the biggest global cyberattacks in recent years. The WannaCry ransomware cryptoworm managed to infect more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries within a day. WannaCry targeted computers worldwide running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. It spreads across local networks and the Internet to systems that have not been updated recently and can infect any exposed systems.
To avoid infection users can take some simple steps, such as:
- update to the latest version of Windows
- use antivirus software
- do not open unexpected email attachments
- don’t download pirated movies, music or software
- and of course: BACKUP all your files.
A ransomware attack leaves you with very few options for getting your files back. One of them is to pay the ransom, although you can never be sure that you will receive the decryption keys as you were promised. The other option is to restore a backup. If you value what is kept on your computer, it is wise to take steps to protect your files from unexpected loss.
Many users regularly backup their files to their computer hard drive. In case of a total computer breakdown though this will not protect your information. Saving data to a separate location is a much better way to protect your files and can be also easily done if you have an external hard drive to back up onto.
However this method is as secure as the device you are backing up to. When you save your files on a physical device, you need to keep the device in a different location than your computer and that can easily lead to damaging it or losing it. Besides, you may always forget to copy your files as often as you should which leaves a big amount of recent work unprotected.
A more effective and safe method of securing your valuable files is online backup. In case of a ransomware attack as WannaCry, which damages your computer and all your files, you are still going to have remote access to your information from any device with internet access. This means you can get your files quickly and easily restored to your computer from a secure online server.
Here at Chocolate Cloud we are aware of potential threats facing your data and we know how important it is for you to protect it. That is why we are working every day to provide data privacy and secure backup to our customers.
Want to learn more about Chocolate Cloud’s solutions and how we can help you protect your data, please contact us at: info@chocolate-cloud.cc.