A campaign on national television captures the despair of a senior executive after he inadvertently clicks an email link, resulting in their company’s data being hijacked, with a demand for ransom throwing the man and his colleague into a bewildering situation.
Alas, this is no longer so rare, and the reality is that while numerous malicious actors used to prey on large businesses, small businesses and even individuals are also being targeted. In this case, a senior executive of a company is being targeted.
Globally the impact runs into hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of payments, and the methods to trick computer users have become more and more sophisticated.
The consequences of that single click, whether the result of speed or being distracted, can give hackers access which can bring you or your business to a grinding halt, as they can control everything from sensitive files and confidential data, to internal systems.
The potential damage to you or your organisation – as well as your customers – do not bear thinking about: from financial loss to reputational damage, and operational disruption, only one thing is certain. The damage could be severe and rectifying it is by no means as straightforward as you might think.
Even paying the ransom demanded by the hackers might not resolve the problem: there is no guarantee that they will restore access to you, or that your data has not already been copied or shared. The original hack could lead to no end of headaches not only for you but also for others whose information was in your system.
How much better to avoid the hack in the first place! Definitely assume the worst if you receive a link, no matter whether it is sent to you by email, text message or through social media. And do not let your guard down because it seems to be coming from someone who know or trust: hackers can clone email addresses and contact numbers with more ease than you would imagine.
Fear not: as long as you are cautious about clicking on links, problems can be avoided.
There are some other tips to reduce the risks of ransomware:
- Regularly back up your data and store backups securely.
- Keep all systems and software up to date.
- Train employees to recognise and avoid suspicious links and messages.
- Verify the source before clicking on unfamiliar links.
What can you do if you receive a ransomware message? You should report the incident to the Police via their website pulizija.gov.mt or by calling tel. 21224001.
The campaign is currently available on national television as part of a cyber awareness campaign delivered by MITA, in collaboration with MITA-NCC and the Malta Police Force.
The campaign aims to increase awareness about digital security through videos that place audiences in realistic, everyday scenarios where their online safety may be threatened or negatively impacted.
Under the slogan “Int Importanti”, the campaign emphasises the importance of staying safe online and looking out for one another to help make the internet a safer place.