Steps to Take to Protect your Data
from WannaCry Ransomware
The massive WannaCry Ransomware attack has affected 150 countries around the world and done damage to 350,000 computer systems, a large portion of which were in Russia, UK, Spain, France & Germany.
Dale Smith, Senior Engineer at Alliant Technology, said, “WannaCry Ransomware malware is similar to other variants. An infected computer encrypts all the data files it can find both on the local computer and across the network. Once encrypted, the owner of the computer is forced to pay a ransom to gain access to their data.” The common ransom required is $300 in bitcoin currency. With no guarantee that data will be restored or that future attacks will be avoided.
Please keep your level of awareness up to date with the level of attack. If you don’t know, don’t click. If you’re not sure, don’t click. If it doesn’t look right, don’t click. Alliant provides customers with multiple layers of protection against this and other malware attacks.
Firewall Protection
At the gateway of client networks, a SonicWALL firewall with active subscription identifies this Ransomware strain and prevents it from entering the network. The subscription service on the firewall is updated daily to provide protection for multiple types of attacks.
Security Software
All client computers and servers are protected by security software that detects and removes the WannaCry Ransomware malware. Both the Webroot antivirus software and Malwarebytes anti-malware software have active protection against this malware.
Software Updates
The WannaCry Ransomware uses a delivery method that incorporates a flaw within Microsoft Windows. Alliant has been applying patches for this flaw since March. We install updates and patches not only for Microsoft software but also for third party software products.
We have found some computers that have been offline and have not yet had the patch installed to fix this flaw. Separate individual contact will be necessary to bring those computers online to update patches. As a reminder it is important to leave computers turned on overnight to allow the patching process to work successfully.
Backup Services
The final defense incorporated by most of our customers is our Vault, SIRIS and Alto backup service solutions. If infected by this ransomware, customers with backup services would have had minimal impact. Backup services provides hourly backups of your data with very quick restore times.
Alliant did not experience a single incidence of the WannaCry Ransomware across the customer base. While our multi-tiered approach has been very successful, there is no way to guarantee that data may not be compromised by undetected malware in the future.
Quoting the Head of Global Channel Operations, Richard Steranka, of McAfee, “Our connected world is under siege by countless adversaries. At times like this, Together is Power. We remain ever vigilant in doing our part to support our customers and the industry at large in finding solutions to thwart WannaCry and copycat derivatives.”
We take your network security seriously. Please contact Alliant if you have questions or need additional support.
Dale Smith
Alliant Technology Group
877-460-1300
