KAPP-KVEW Interview: The Next Evolution of Ransomware

Carissa Lehmkuhl from KAPP-KVEW interviewed Byron Martin, CEO of Teknologize leading up to our Breakfast Series "The Evolution of Ransomcloud."

By Carissa Lehmkuhl | YakTriNews.com KAPP-TV / KVEW-TV  | View Article

View the news clip at YAKTRINEWS.com

Ransomcloud. The Next Evolution of Ransomware

A ransomware attack is when a hacker breaches computer data and encrypts it or holds it hostage, demanding a ransom in order for the business or individual to regain access. Often, the attacker will do this by sending a legitimate-looking email, a phishing email, but when the unsuspecting person opens the email and clicks on a link, their data becomes encrypted. 

“It’s the modern-day organized crime,” said Byron Martin, CEO of Teknologize, an IT support provider in Kennewick. “This is happening globally and it’s a massive threat; every 14 seconds there’s a business being attacked.”

More recently, attackers have been perfecting what Martin calls “the next evolution of ransomware” – ransomcloud. It’s similar to ransomware but targets data that’s saved in the Cloud.

“There may be a lot of businesses out there feeling like their data is safe in the Cloud,” said Martin. “It’s not.”

These cyberattacks are effective and costly. In fact, ransomware or ransomcloud attacks are projected to cost the U.S. economy $2.1 trillion in 2019 alone.

“It’s happening in Tri-Cities every week; we’re getting phone calls on a regular basis saying, ‘Hey my company got ransomcloud or ransomware, can you help us?'” said Martin. “Unfortunately, it’s like calling the fire department after your house has burned down.”

Teknologize is a Managed Service Provider with clients throughout the Pacific Northwest with offices located in the Tri-Cities, Washington 509.396.6640, Yakima, Washington 509.396.6640, and Bend, Oregon 541.848.6072. Questions about cybersecurity? Give us a call today!