On May 6th, 2021, Colonial Pipeline fell prey to some ransomware cyberattack, which took down the most significant gas pipeline from the nation and led to gas shortages around the east shore.
Subsequently, on May 30th, 2021, the biggest meat producer globally, JBS Foods, became a casualty of ransomware, shutting down plant operations in the U.S. to get a couple of days.
As per a cybersecurity adviser who reacted to this cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline, hackers obtained access to their systems by logging via a Virtual Private Network (VPN) with a compromised password.
Both strikes are examples of major systems taken offline when the proper steps are not taken.
Cybersecurity specialist and Assistant Professor at the School of Computing in the University of Utah, Mu Zhang, stated that both companies and individual consumers would need to take each of the measures to avoid hacks such as these.
“The believers really will need to find a vulnerability in order that they can enter a system,” explained Zhang.
To close the openings, Zhang urges:
- Installing the Most Recent security upgrades for your PC
- Utilizing anti-virus software and scanning for viruses frequently
- Shifting your passwords frequently
- Utilizing two-factor authentication
- Not opening up mails if you do not know who they are from or opening attachments from an unknown email address.
“It’ll be useful to add to keep an offline backup, which isn’t on the world wide web, therefore air-gapped,” explained Zhang.
An offline backup is so important also that ransomware hackers will typically delete your internet backup so that they got the only backup.
This also usually means that you may return if you pay the ransom.
Zhang stated, “The sufferer must learn a lesson by this assault. Attempt and back up their information and keep it in a more secure place to stop future strikes.”
Ransomeware strikes may seem popular now because, each time a significant firm pays the ransom to return their information, hackers are far more encouraged to take action.
“The real-world events have revealed they may produce a true profit,” explained Zhang.
Ransomware hackers tend to go after large businesses instead of individuals because that is where they will make the most cash.
That is precisely exactly the reason why workers need to take action to stop hackers from logging to office programs using their advice.
