The holidays are a time of joy for most people. However, hackers see this time of year as a perfect opportunity to attack our computers in order to gain access to information or hold us hostage via ransomware. Let's look at a few ways to protect ourselves against ransomware attacks, coming up next.

Many hackers will use this time of year as a way to collect our private data, hold it for ransom, and demand we pay to get it back. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI have warned against an increase in cyberattacks this holiday season. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself against attacks.

Number 1: Upgrade Your Operating System – The first and most important thing you can do is to make sure your operating system is fully updated. When new versions of OS’s are released, they usually include vulnerability patches along with increased security features to help protect against these types of attacks. If you don’t have the latest version, check with your system admin and ask for help on getting up to date.

Number 2: Use Malware Scanning Software – There are plenty of software services available that scan your computer for viruses, Trojans, and other types of malware. While no software is foolproof, by having this layer of protection you can help to keep your system free of these malicious programs.

Number 3: Beware of Email Scams – Email scams are a common means of attack for hackers looking for personal information. Often in these cases, the email will request that you verify private information such as your credit card number or bank account number. These emails may appear legitimate at first but will typically include misspellings or other questionable items. If in doubt, contact the vendor directly and don't respond to the email.

By following these tips, you can help secure your systems from potential threats this holiday season. If you’re interested in learning how we can help secure and protect your data from cybercriminals, give our team a call, we're glad to help.

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