Viruses are very dangerous for any organisation. However, there is one type of virus that can be considered lethal because of its ability to hijack your business from one moment to the next.

Known as Cryptolocker, this type of virus belongs to the malware family. It was designed to infect computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system and usually reaches devices by email. When executed, the cryptolocker installs itself on the computer and begins to encrypt all files, completely blocking access and demanding payment of a ransom to recover them.

An international study carried out by Verizon concluded that the main targets of malware are the public sector (38%), industry (21%) and SMEs in general.

To ensure business continuity and avoid exposure to these dangers, companies should invest in security and advanced detection and response tools capable of discovering and blocking attacks. Such investments must be able to search for potentially unusual behaviour and regularly monitor previously defined trends and activities.

For Portuguese companies, this challenge is particularly difficult. According to a study carried out by IDC among 201 companies in Portugal, from a range of sectors and with different turnovers, an insufficient budget (62%) and the increasing complexity of threats (47%) are the two main obstacles to the effective implementation of cybersecurity systems.

This lack of investment in security is worrying, given that, according to a Kaspersky study (2015), 30% to 40% of corporate users in Portugal were targeted by cyber attacks.

Cryptolockers cause heavy losses for companies, as most of them are not protected and are therefore forced to pay the ransom to recover their documents.

There are several ways to protect your company against this type of threat and ensure the continuity of your business. To find out how to keep your organisation secure, download the Cryptolocker Prevention Guide.

Written by:
Openlimits

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