Ransomware protection for Mac computers, Instagram backup, and active disk cloning
Prague, August 23, 2017 – Acronis, the global leader in hybrid data protection for personal and business backup, introduced the new version of Acronis True Image 2018, backup software for home users and small offices. In addition to significant updates, the new version primarily includes integrated artificial intelligence technology enabling active ransomware protection.
“As the first provider of full disk image backup for consumers, Acronis created intelligent backup for home users,” said Sergei Beloussov, founder and CEO of Acronis. “Acronis True Image 2018 continues this pioneering tradition as the first home backup system to use artificial intelligence to protect users and their devices against the currently fastest-growing threat to their data.”
By combining AI-based ransomware defense known as Acronis Active Protection with a new generation of enhanced backup and recovery features, such as active disk cloning and automated WinPE boot media creation, Acronis True Image 2018 sets a new standard for intelligent backup for individuals, families, and small businesses.
Reliable backup and recovery
In a survey conducted by Acronis in July 2017, 95% of respondents said they chose Acronis True Image because of its reliability. The 2018 version further enhances key functionality with a range of features:
- Active disk cloning: Users can create exact replicas of active Windows systems without interrupting their work or restarting, or needing to clone from bootable media, making it easier to migrate to faster or larger drives.
- Updated media creation: Automatically creates WinPE-based boot media, allowing users to quickly resolve driver configuration issues and restore their systems to the same or different hardware.
- Continuous cloud backup: Users can update their backups while working on their files by securely saving new versions to the cloud.
- Virtual disk conversion: Users can test the recoverability of their complete disk images or run their systems in a Hyper-V virtual environment to test required applications, without the risk of disrupting the primary system, and then move the system image as a virtual disk to another computer.
- Faster incremental backups: Up to three times faster thanks to Change Block Tracker technology, which tracks image changes in real time.
- Automated mobile backup to NAS storage: More than a quarter of Acronis users (26%) use their home NAS storage. They now do not need to think about backing up their mobile devices at all, because the backup process starts as soon as the mobile device connects to the same Wi-Fi network as the NAS storage.
Acronis True Image 2018 also meets the needs of a new generation of users by extending its social media support with automatic backup of Instagram accounts, including photos, comments, and statistics such as the number of posts, likes, tags, and comments. The feature is available immediately in selected markets and globally from September 4.
Secured data protection
After a ransomware attack, the most important thing is to restore the affected system or files. Acronis True Image 2018 not only provides their automatic recovery, but also takes preventive measures beforehand to ensure that user data is not affected in the first place.
Using machine learning models, Acronis Active Protection can identify unusual activity. These models are generated in a dedicated Cloud AI infrastructure, which processes data from hundreds of thousands of malicious and benign processes and forms the basis of these models. The models are integrated directly into Acronis Active Protection, enabling Acronis True Image 2018 to protect data independently and without requiring an internet connection.
The following data demonstrates that ransomware threats are far from insignificant:
- In 2017, Acronis Active Protection technology has already recovered more than 100,000 files
- More than 60% of Acronis users are concerned about ransomware attacks
- Total damage caused by ransomware is estimated at $5 billion in 2017 ($1 billion in 2016)
- Cyberattacks are increasingly targeting backed-up files as well, so that users cannot avoid paying the ransom
For users, it is essential that Acronis True Image 2018 protects not only original data but also their backups, ensuring their integrity.
What's new for Mac users
Acronis True Image 2018 is the first backup software for personal backup to actively protect data on Mac computers against ransomware. This anti-ransomware protection comes at the right time for Apple computer users: although macOS devices have always been resistant to malware, attacks on Mac computers increased by 744% in 2016, and several serious incidents have already been reported this year.
Acronis True Image 2018 for Mac also provides enhanced backup and recovery capabilities, offers an updated macOS-style user interface, and integrates Touch Bar controls. Further innovations include up to 4x faster recovery of entire systems and individual files from Acronis Cloud, as well as the option to automatically download and install Acronis True Image software updates as soon as they become available.
Pricing
On the Czech market, the new version of Acronis True Image 2018 with ransomware protection is available now. Selected pricing options are listed below:
| Product name | CZK |
| Acronis True Image 2018 – 1 computer | CZK 1,092 |
| Acronis True Image 2018 – 1 computer + 250 GB Acronis Cloud Storage – annual subscription | CZK 1,092 |
| Acronis True Image 2018 – 1 computer + 1 TB Acronis Cloud Storage – annual subscription | CZK 2,185 |
More information about Acronis True Image 2018, including the complete price list, can be found here.
Article author: ZEBR.ai editorial team
