Think of Hackers as Electronic Safecrackers Who Can Loot a Company’s Data in Seconds

Red Alert: Beware of CryptoWall Ransomware

La Crescenta, CA (6/17/2014) CEOs and business owners can no longer feel secure with just alarm systems and guards at their offices and warehouses.

“Even small to midsize businesses face a growing threat from hackers– electronic safecrackers who can slip into their data vault without making a sound and loot critical information in seconds,” warns Michael Macho, division president of BIS Computer Solutions of Los Angeles.

Hackers vary their attacks on companies and people. Currently, they are infecting computer systems with a software called CryptoWall Ransomware, a virus that sneaks in as an attachment and encrypts all data files so the user can’t open them. “Thieves then demand a ransom, holding a company’s computer system and its information hostage until it’s paid,” says Macho.

When corporate data is breached, it’s not just the company suffering the loss, he maintains. “The privacy and personal information of their customers, employees, stockholders, vendors—virtually everyone they do business with—are victims of the theft.”

The reputation of a company and its brand can be damaged as well, and any sized business is at risk, according to Macho. The global publicity triggered by the brazen heist of Target’s credit card customers at its 1,797 stores in the U.S. and on E-Bay’s multi-million name customer-base should make senior managers and owners aware of the fallout of a
cyber-attack.

While digital attacks on Fortune 500 companies grab headlines and shrewd hackers will still target them, smaller, privately owned companies are vulnerable, said the BIS executive. “Why? Because they usually do not have database security programs, policies and products in place.”

• When was the last time you updated your network security software including malware and anti-virus software?
• Is your company Wi-Fi system secure?
• Have you conducted a company security audit in the last six months?
• Do you immediately disconnect a fired or disgruntled employee from access to your company database and do deep background checks on new employees?
• Do you store and secure hard drives from old PCs and servers so they do not get into the wrong hands?
• Do you encrypt your data and use multi-level passwords on your database?
• Are you aware some insurance companies will lower premiums if you have secure data and a protected database?
• Are you compliant with all your industry’s compliance requirements?

Based in La Crescenta, a Los Angeles suburb, BIS Computer Solutions (www.biscomputer.com) creates customized software programs, applications and consulting to a variety of industries. A large emphasis of its operations are placed on security and infrastructure solutions, and protecting data.