What Is Ransomware? The 2026 Reality Check

Описание: What is ransomware? It's the number one threat to your business, and the odds of getting hit approach 100% over time. In this episode, Mr. Backup breaks it all down.

If you work in IT, you've probably heard the term ransomware a thousand times. But here's the thing—tens of thousands of people are still Googling "what is ransomware" every single month. And even if you think you understand it, the attacks have gotten nastier. We're not just talking about someone encrypting your files anymore.

In this video, Prasanna and I cover:

The traditional ransomware attack: how hackers encrypt your data and hold it hostage for Bitcoin
Double extortion attacks: the newer model where they steal your data FIRST, then threaten to leak it publicly
Why literally everyone is a target—from massive corporations to small dental offices
Real-world horror stories including Sony, Costa Rica's government, and Jaguar Land Rover's $2.5 billion nightmare
Why paying the ransom just makes you a bigger target for next time
The "assumed breach" mindset and why preparation matters more than prevention

I also talk about my upcoming book with Dr. Mike Saylor, "Learning Ransomware Response and Recovery," coming out in March 2026. If you want to understand what is ransomware and what you can do about it before you're staring at a Bitcoin demand on your screen, this episode is for you.

The bottom line? Ransomware isn't going away. The question isn't IF you'll get attacked—it's WHEN. And when that day comes, the decisions you made beforehand will determine whether your company survives or becomes another cautionary tale.

Subscribe to The Backup Wrap-up for more episodes on backup, recovery, and cyber-recovery. Hit the bell so you don't miss our upcoming deep-dives into ransomware response and recovery strategies.🔗 Links:

Order the book:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Ranso...
O'Reilly: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/...

#ransomware #cybersecurity #backup #dataprotection #ITsecurity #cyberattack #doubleextortion #backupandrecovery

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