IT Support in San Antonio: Tips on How to Dodge Data Disaster

Hackers have gained notoriety in targeting businesses with their hack attacks. In 2017, hackers were in an overdrive targeting small, medium and large corporations with ransomware attacks. Some small to medium business owners were caught unawares because they thought that their firms were too small for hackers. In our experience as an IT support provider in San Antonio, we have found that small to medium businesses are easy targets for hackers. With this in mind, we present some tips, which when implemented, can help dodge data disasters.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a malware attack in which the hacker encrypts data in the victim’s network making the data inaccessible until such a time that the victim pays ransom. However, it is worth noting that not all victims that have paid the ransom regained access to their data.

Why Should You Guard Against a Ransomware Attack?

Ransomware attacks are directed towards businesses of all sizes. It is commonplace to find hackers directing these attacks to personal computer users as well. Oftentimes, these hacks are aimed at denying the computer users access to their data. Such an inconvenience can disrupt the smooth flow of business and lead to losses associated with downtime.

So, How Can You Dodge This?

When business owners consult with us as a leading IT support provider in San Antonio on how to protect their business against data loss from ransomware attacks, we often advise them to consider the following tips:

1. Create multiple backups – You need to insist on having three separate backups for your data. One copy should be in the cloud, the other on your premises and the other on an offsite location. This will ensure that in the event an attack happens, you can restore your system.
2. Avoid human error – Human error is one of the leading causes of data loss. Educate your employees on cybersecurity issues. Try and automate processes that can be automated.
3. Address network issues with urgency – If you discover that a hardware component is not working properly, replace it immediately for this can expose your system to vulnerabilities.
4. Patch and update software programs regularly – Ensure that all your software components are properly updated and patched as regularly as possible. Also, make sure that your anti-virus and anti-malware programs are updated with the latest definitions.

Need Help?

If you need help proofing your network against hackers, we can help. At ICS, we are an IT support provider in San Antonio ready to help you stay safe as you operate. Contact us to learn more.