Hotels are Now The Hottest Ransomware Target

We have been working with the hospitality industry for quite some time. We’ve taken what we’ve learned and applied it to an industry we feel has been under-secured. Rightfully so. Now ransomware is targeting hospitality clients, from small privately-owned hotels and resorts to the biggest chains and names in the industry. Front desks, reservation systems, and even Wi-Fi is now under active attack for their valuable credit card information – and potentially even more valuable payoffs if the locked-down client pays.

Ransomware Prays on Unsecured Hospitality Networks

Nothing makes a more attractive target than a network that is filled with active and useful credit card information for current and past clients. Those credit cards can be compromised within a second’s notice, and then payment derived worldwide.

Also Beware Virtual Skimmers and Data Breaches

Some ransomware targets are no longer waking up the network, but instead are actively skimming the credit cards as they interact with the usually front desk machines.

What You Can Do to Increase Hotel Cybersecurity

We’ve been providing managed IT for the hospitality industry for many years, from wireless network installations to full cybersecurity. Here are some of the most common issues we encounter and what we suggest for solutions.

1. Update to Windows 10:

Many problems are caused by outdated or unsupported software. Specifically for hotels, roomMaster from innQuest has ended Windows 7 Support, leaving many front desk computers vulnerable.

2. Improve Network Protection:

Make sure you’ve got a good firewall (we recommend Sophos) and avoid common issues like allowing port-forwarding on your networks.

3. Backup Your Data (The Right Way):

Do you have online backups? Make sure they are done the right way to avoid ransomware infiltrating your backups as well. To our current hospitality clients: please contact us for further information and about upgrading your existing workstations and managed plans with us. To new hotels, resorts, and others in the hospitality industry looking for the best IT solutions to this problem: Triton Technologies can help. Reach out to us for a consultation.