The malware Emotet is currently one of the most dangerous cyber threats in the world – especially since it enables other malware programs to be downloaded subsequently. One of these is the ransomware Ryuk. This malware program is designed to not only encrypt data but also delete backup copies.
Emotet Is Spread Via E-Mails
The Trojan Emotet is spread mainly via e-mail attachments and files on websites that can be accessed using links in e-mails. Microsoft Office files in particular are carriers of this Trojan. Our tip: Never open unsolicited e-mail attachments or download any data from websites that you have accessed using a link in an e-mail. This also applies if the sender of the e-mail is (or appears to be) someone you know. This is because Emotet uses the address books of infected victims, containing the contact details of their customers, suppliers and even personal friends in order to spread the malware. If you are unsure, ask the sender whether the e-mail is genuine.
Five Preventive Measures
In particular, it is important to raise your own and your employees’ awareness of the problem so that dangerous e-mails can be identified in time. For this purpose, Helvetia offers a free security training course. The following preventive measures will also help you protect your business:
- Make sure that you have installed the latest Windows security updates and patches
- Create regular backups that are stored in a location separate from the network system
- Install technical security measures, such as virus scanners, firewalls, etc.
- Change standard passwords on your devices
- Grant access to data only to users who truly need it
