SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A heinous data breach known as ransomware has exploded this year holding businesses hostage until payment is made and control of their system returned.
Jessie Schmidt with the Better Business Bureau says if businesses don't pay the ransom they won't get the data back.
Schmidt says while incidents have skyrocketed this year this value of the ransom has dropped significantly and it is usually payable in bitcoin, a digital currency.
The Better Business Bureau is holding a free cyber security event October 19th at Avera Prairie Center.
Schmidt says experts from the FBI, South Dakota Division of Criminal and Dakota State University, a premier digital education system, will offer their advice on how to prevent from becoming a victim.
Software business Trend Micro revealed that cyber criminals assault the small business space with 3.5 new threats every second.
To RVSP go to bbbinc.org and click on the Cybersecurity image.