On Saturday, Microsoft warns Ukraine of destructive malware in their government and private systems. It was revealed as the Russian troops were massed at the borders of Ukraine and many government agencies had their websites defaced.
It is possible that the malware can copy and leak confidential information from the government systems in Ukraine. The mastermind behind the malware is not clear, but agencies point fingers towards Russia for this cyberattack. The reason for this is the tension across the Ukraine-Russia border these days.
According to New York Times, the code appear and deploy shortly after talks stalled among Russian diplomats, the U.S., and NATO. Further, Microsoft claims that the code looks similar to ransomware and designed to render targeted devices inoperable.
What is the Solution to Malware Detected on Ukraine Systems?
Microsoft stated that all companies should investigate to know the origin of the malware. Also, every company should implement the defense through malware to protect data.
A Ukrainian security official told Reuters that the government believes the hackers are connected to Russia. They further stated that Russia’s intelligence services carried out the cyberattack on government websites in Ukraine. But, Moscow denied the involvement in cyberattacks against Ukraine.
How to Protect the System from Cyberattack?
According to Verizon’s 2019 Data Breach Report, about 28% of data breaches are connected to malware. It threatens every organization and is becoming more common every day. Countries and companies should both work hard to prevent their data from destructive malware.
Further, there is no solution to cyberattacks, but you can detect the malware and protect your system with smart moves. Here are some tips for you to save your computers or laptops from cyberattacks.
- Always choose a strong password for your private and confidential data files.
- Try to include at least eight characters with an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a number, and a symbol in the password.
- Enable multi-factor authentication on your system, such as a PIN or security questions in addition to a password.
- Do not save the password on your browser or your system. It is better to remember the password in mind.
Keep in mind that no software is completely safe against malware. But the software vendors regularly update their products to make them more defensive against viruses or cyberattacks. Install and update anti-virus software on your system to protect them from potentially destructive malware. Also, never share your password with anyone.
Conclusion
Malware infections can be devastating for organizations. By interrupting critical workflows and stealing or encrypting crucial data, it can cause serious financial and reputation damage. Protect yourself and your business from cyberattacks with effective cybersecurity. Also, perform regular backups to offline storage and keep changing your passwords to make sure your system is free from viruses.