Warning for businesses amid increase in computer software attacks

BUSINESSES are being urged to take extra care after South Yorkshire Police has been made aware of an increase in reports of several companies being a victim of cyber attacks. 

Ransomware is malicious software that prevents you from accessing your computer or data that is stored on your computer.

If your computer is infected with ransomware it may become locked, or the data on it might be stolen, deleted or encrypted. Normally you are asked to make a payment - the ransom - in order to 'unlock' your computer or data.

Cyber protect officer Dannielle Lee works with local businesses, charities and other organisations to give advice on staying safe from cyber attacks as part of her role.

She said: "Ransomware attacks can have a devastating impact on organisations, with victims often requiring a significant amount of recovery time to re-enable critical services.

"The average cost of a cyber attack to a small business is around £11,000 and unfortunately there are thousands of successful attacks nationwide every day.

"Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your business's chances of becoming a victim. One of those is to sign up to a free tool called Police CyberAlarm, which acts like a 'CCTV camera' to monitor the traffic seen by a business's connection to the internet. I'd highly recommend this for organisations across South Yorkshire."

Businesses can sign up for a Police CyberAlarm via cyberalarm.police.uk/#join - they will then receive a unique code which, once added to the website, will provide access to full instructions and how to install Police CyberAlarm.

If you are a business, charity or other organisation and think you have been a victim of a cyber attack, report it to Action Fraud online www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. If you are currently suffering a live cyber attack (in progress), call 0300 123 2040 immediately.