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The “Emotet” Trojan virus, which has been known about for some time, isonce again causing widespread fear and consternation. The malware has already been responsible for a number of serious IT security incidents and caused significant damage. Emotet is viewed by many as one of the world’s most significant malware threats.
What makes Emotet so dangerous? Emotet is spread through massive spam campaigns. Using what is known as Outlook harvesting, Emotet sends seemingly authentic messages. On systems that are already infected, the malware scans all contact relationships and contact data as well as the related e-mail content. The malware then uses this data to send new spam messages. Since all of the details are correct – the names and e-mail addresses of the sender and recipient in the subject, the form of address and the signature – these e-mails look extremely authentic to most users. Recipients therefore often open the e-mails, which will include manipulated attachments (primarily Office documents with macros), or click on the embedded links.
If the file attachment in such a mail is opened or the link clicked, the malware is loaded onto the user’s own system. Emotet then downloads further malware. The consequences are far-reaching: Data can be stolen, entire IT systems brought down. This has already led to significant loss of production in companies.
However, Emotet is not only circulated via e-mails that are sent to the contacts of the infected user; the malware can even be spread to entire corporate networks via the SMB exploit EternalBlue.
As the malware is well camouflaged, anti-virus programs are often unable to detect it. This makes it all the more important for organizations to raise awareness among their staff so that attachments are not opened straight away or links clicked. A particularly beneficial setting is for macros not to be enabled automatically. From a technical point of view, companies should promptly install any updates or patches for their operating system (especially those updates which combat EternalBlue vulnerabilities) or application programs that are issued by software manufacturers. To keep data safe, it is advisable to carry out regular, multilevel backups and to implement network segmentation. If companies are already affected, professional advice should be sought as swiftly as possible.
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About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan. With its unique expertise in imaging, data processing and data-based decision making, Konica Minolta creates relevant solutions for its customers - small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector - and solves issues faced by society.
As a digital workplace solution provider, Konica Minolta helps its clients to identify and unlock the potential digitalisation holds and reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation by rethinking the workplace. In support of an ‘Intelligent connected workplace’, Konica Minolta offers cloud, IT, managed print and video solution services for remote working, collaboration, workflow management and automation and security. The company’s success in driving transformation is also confirmed by IDC, since the ‘IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print Transformation 2023 Vendor Assessment’ has named Konica Minolta a “Leader” in print transformation. Konica Minolta has been a Microsoft Global Managed Partner since 2021.
Konica Minolta's Igniting Print Possibilities offering helps printers, converters and brand owners maximise workflow automation to increase efficiency. The company delivers consultancy in all communication matters as well as top-of-the-line production, packaging as well as label printers. Its finishing devices create print products that stand out and create added value. Konica Minolta has established itself as the production printing market leader for more than a decade in Europe (InfoSource).
For an increasing number of organisations, success today is more than the narrow definition of financial prosperity – it also includes protecting the environment and having a positive impact on their workforce as well as the societies they are embedded in. With its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Konica Minolta has pledged to consistently pursue its sustainability and social responsibility goals.
The company has been repeatedly recognised for its rich history of social contribution as well as for working towards achieving the SDGs throughout its business and supply chain. Konica Minolta received a GOLD Level Recognition Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability ratings for 2023.
For its remote services, Konica Minolta was awarded the prestigious ‘Buyers Lab (BLI) 2023-2024 Pacesetter Award in Remote Service for the Western European market’ from Keypoint Intelligence.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 8,700 employees (as of April 2023), Konica Minolta Europe earned net sales of over EUR 2.26 billion in financial year 2022/2023.
Worldwide, the company has over 39,000 employees and is operating in over 150 countries.
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