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More cyber attacks expected


Johannesburg, 18 May 2017
Local Acronis partner One Channel CEO Bernard Ford says the attack has slowed but warns that new versions of the worm will strike soon. "Ransomware is the most serious malware threat of the 21st century, with criminals projected to extort billions from their victims in 2017."
Local Acronis partner One Channel CEO Bernard Ford says the attack has slowed but warns that new versions of the worm will strike soon. "Ransomware is the most serious malware threat of the 21st century, with criminals projected to extort billions from their victims in 2017."

Governments are scrambling to catch the culprits behind the cyber attacks that are disrupting operations at large organisation across the globe. Cyber security experts say the spread of the worm dubbed WannaCry locked up more than 200 000 computers in more than 150 countries.

Analysts seem to confirm that the attack was launched using suspected NSA code leaked by a group of hackers known as the Shadow Brokers. It uses a variant of the ShadowBrokers APT EternalBlue Exploit. It uses strong encryption on files such as documents, images, and videos.

Local Acronis partner One Channel CEO Bernard Ford says the attack has slowed but warns that new versions of the worm will strike soon. "Ransomware is the most serious malware threat of the 21st century, with criminals projected to extort billions from their victims in 2017."

Thousands of computers worldwide, including British hospitals and the Spanish telecommunications company Telefonica, were taken over by a piece of ransomware known as Wanacrypt0r 2.0. The ransomware encrypts all of the computer's files and demands a ransom to decrypt the files.

A Telefonica spokesman said a window appeared on screens of infected computers that demanded payment with the digital currency bitcoin in order to regain access to files.

Ford says unlike many other malicious programs, this one has the ability to move around a network by itself. "Most other malware relies on humans to spread by tricking them into clicking on an attachment harbouring the attack code."

"However, the WannaCry ransomware hunts down vulnerable machines and infects them too. This is one of the largest global ransomware attacks the cyber community has ever seen," he explains.

Although system protection via a good End-Point Protection product is important, backup still remains the most effective tool against data loss. Creating a backup before disaster strikes, is much more efficient and cost effective than looking for a cure when data is lost. Affordable backup software is readily available, so there is no excuse for losing data or exposing it to cyber criminals and ransomware attacks.

"Always have a backup of your important data and choose backup software with local storage, cloud storage and active protection against ransomware. Also, keep your operating system and software up to date, it will block cyber criminals from entering your system through any known security holes," he says.

However, malware attacks and defences against them are continually evolving, ransomware variants can find and attack backup files as well. Acronis has subsequently enhanced its backup solutions with innovative new anti-ransomware technology. Acronis Active Protection actively defends both user files and their backups by identifying and blocking ransomware attacks in real-time.

"Don't become part of this statistic. With a few simple tricks and robust ransomware protection software from Acronis you can protect your valuable data in the most efficient and cost-effective way," he concludes.

For more information contact One Channel at info@onechannel.co.za or visit www.onechannel.cloud

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One Channel (www.onechannel.cloud)

One Channel was formed out of the necessity to provide modern Cloud ERP solutions to mid-sized and larger customers on the African continent. The company has followed the evolution of business software, from core accounting, to ERP and now to extended post-modern ERP and cloud. It has adapted its business model to enable it to deliver these modern, cloud-based extensible systems through its partnerships with the best solution providers and software developers.

Acumatica, its global master vendor and supplier, offers the world's leading cloud-based ERP and Mobile Workforce solutions for medium sized to large organisations in many sectors and industry types.

One Channel had also partnered with Acronis who sets the standard for hybrid cloud data protection through its backup, disaster recovery, and secure file sync and share solutions. Powered by the Acronis AnyData Engine and set apart by its image technology, Acronis delivers easy, complete and affordable data protection of all files, applications and operating systems across any environment - virtual, physical, cloud and mobile.

Acronis (www.acronis.com)

Acronis sets the standard for hybrid cloud data protection through its backup, disaster recovery, and secure file sync and share solutions. Powered by the Acronis AnyData Engine and set apart by its image technology, Acronis delivers easy, complete and affordable data protection of all files, applications and operating systems across any environment - virtual, physical, cloud and mobile. Founded in 2003, Acronis protects the data of over 5 million consumers and 500 000 businesses in over 145 countries. With more than 100 patents, Acronis products have been named best product of the year, and cover a range of features, including migration, cloning and replication. Today, Acronis solutions are available worldwide through a global network of service providers, distributors and cloud resellers.

Editorial contacts

Ivor van Rensburg
IT Public Relations
(082) 652 8050
ivor@itpr.co.za
Christo Heuer
One Channel
(072) 336 3004