New Ransomware Group Is Attacking More Businesses

A cybercrime group called The Gentlemen has quickly become one of the most active ransomware operations. Ransomware is malicious software that locks up computer files and demands payment to unlock them. This group attracts talented hackers by offering them 90 percent of any ransom money collected from victims. Security researcher Brian Krebs has examined clues pointing to the real identity of who runs The Gentlemen ransomware group. This affects businesses, schools, hospitals, and other organizations more than individual families. However, when these groups attack a company you do business with, your personal information stored in their systems can be stolen or exposed. If your employer, your child's school, your doctor's office, or a store you shop at gets hit by ransomware, your data could be part of the breach. For most families, there are no immediate steps to take right now based on this news alone. However, stay alert for breach notifications from any organization you interact with. If you receive an email or letter saying a business was hit by a cyberattack, follow their instructions carefully. Change passwords for that specific service. Monitor your bank accounts and credit cards for suspicious activity.

To protect yourself long term, use unique passwords for every important account. Consider a password manager to keep track of them all. Enable two-factor authentication wherever it is offered, especially for email, banking, and medical portals. Keep your contact information up to date with schools, doctors, and financial institutions so they can reach you quickly if there is a problem.