Ransomware is a malicious program that encrypts a victim’s data or system, and blocks access to it until a ransom is paid. Typically, ransomware spreads through phishing email attachments and even malware-laced websites.

According to global market intelligence firm IDC’s 2021 Ransomware Study, 37% of organizations around the world suffered some form of ransomware attack in 2021. If your business is ever attacked, it’s important to recover as quickly as possible and protect your company from future attacks.

Without technology, businesses cannot compete and succeed. But with the advancement in technology comes the ever-constant threat of hackers and cybercriminals. That’s why small- and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) need to protect themselves with robust cybersecurity solutions managed by reputable managed IT services providers (MSPs).

The numbers

Through the years, the number of SMBs falling victim to cyberattacks has drastically increased.

Your business uses several online tools on a daily basis — from email to social media to storage — and all of these tools require a username and a password. Unfortunately, juggling multiple unique passwords can be difficult. In fact, a recent study found that a typical user manages around 100 passwords!

This is where a password manager can help.

If you run a small business, you might not have the budget to hire in-house IT staff. This means that when something goes wrong with your IT infrastructure, you have to rely on outside help to fix it. However, unless you're partnered with a reliable service provider, outsourcing your IT support can make you vulnerable to tech support scams.

Though fileless malware has been around much longer, it only became a mainstream method of cyberattack in 2017. With fileless malware, cybercriminals are able to use legitimate tools and services, such as existing software, applications, and authorized protocols, to carry out malicious activities like unauthorized data retrieval or data damage.

The term “shadow IT” may sound like something out of a Hollywood techno-thriller, but in reality, it is a serious threat to businesses of all sizes. So what is shadow IT, and why should you be concerned? Let’s take a look.

What is shadow IT?
Shadow IT refers to the use of IT systems, hardware, software, and services that have not been sanctioned or vetted by a company’s IT department.

Modern web browsers and password managers come with a feature called password autofill. This helps users store and automatically use their account credentials to access websites and other applications. While password autofill is convenient, it comes with security risks.

2021 was a tough year for cybersecurity. In fact, in just the first nine months of the year, there were already 1,291 data breaches. And as cyberattacks become more sophisticated, we can expect cybercrime to continue ramping up in 2022. To help prepare your business, we have listed five top cybersecurity predictions for the new year and tips to protect your IT systems from future attacks.

If you've watched the news or scrolled through social media even once during the past year, you've probably heard about the uptick in the number of cyberattacks in 2021. In fact, according to IT security firm Check Point Software, global cyberattacks increased by 29% as hackers continued exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work to launch more sophisticated attacks against individuals, businesses, and governments.

In business, as in life, there are things within our control — and things that are outside of it. For instance, we can control how we design and implement our marketing strategies, but not how our customers will react to these. We can also implement all sorts of cybersecurity tools, such as anti-malware programs and firewalls, but we can’t stop cybercriminals from trying to thwart your defenses.