It’s Cyber Security Awareness Month and this year’s theme is: Do your part, #BeCyberSmart!
Staying safe online can be tricky with new threats popping up each day; some 67,500 cybercrimes were reported across Australia in the last year, with reported losses from these crimes totaling $33 billion.
We wanted to share our best insights so that you, your loved ones, and the community can do your part to #BeCyberSmart. And with the newly-released Australian Government’s Ransomware Action Plan, there is plenty of information and advice now publicly available that you can use to keep yourself protected. Keep reading for our key insights regarding ransomware and our top tips to stay safe online this Cyber Security Awareness Month.
WHAT IS A RANSOMWARE ATTACK?
In its simplest form, ransomware is an attack by which a cybercriminal will use readily available software to encrypt electronic devices, folders, files, and data, to render the system inaccessible to its user(s). Once the selected part of the system has been encrypted, the cybercriminal will demand a ransom from the system owner in the form of money or cryptocurrencies, in exchange for the release of the system.
Though the targeting of this attack has shifted slightly towards larger corporations, individuals and small businesses often find themselves caught in the trap. In the last year, Australians reported 500 ransomware cybercrime reports, an increase of nearly 15 per cent from the previous financial year.
WHAT IS THE RANSOMWARE ACTION PLAN?
The Australian Government has released its Ransomware Action Plan because such attacks towards individuals, businesses, and government agencies, both within Australia and globally, is skyrocketing. With the ever-evolving cyber security threat landscape and the increase of ransomware activities, every sector must ensure they have the right level of protection.
To combat this trend, the plan reveals upcoming law and policy refreshes, as well as initiatives already undertaken by the Australian Government to enhance cyber security in general. The ransomware strategy focuses on three areas: prepare and prevent by building resilience; respond and recover by strengthening support for victims; disrupt and deter by strengthening criminal law and taking action to stop ransomware attacks before they happen.
With these goals in mind, here are our top tips for how you can #BeCyberSmart.
CYBER TIPS TO PROTECT YOU
