Oasis Technology has added a new feature to its Titan security software to prevent ransomware attacks. The Camarillo company, which provides IT consulting and security software, began selling the Titan system in 2013 to protect a network’s firewall to keep hackers out. For the last three years, Titan has been in growth mode with 30 installations. One client, HomeBank Texas, in Dallas, was audited by the FBI and FDIC for its security when the FBI had to contact Oasis to be allowed past the security system, Chief Executive George Baldonado said. HomeBank ended up getting a rating as the 6th in the nation for the most secure bank. “We are really happy to have that on our list of successes,” Baldonado said. Ransomware is a virus that enters a computer either through the internet or an infected flash drive. A hacker then encrypts all the data on the computer and only releases it after the network’s owner pays, hence the name ransomware. Baldonado said the feature was added at the request of customers. SonicWall, an IT security company in Santa Clara, reported in its 2017 Annual Threat Report there were 638 million ransomware attack attempts last year against businesses of all sizes around the globe. That is a significant increase from the 3.8 million attack attempts in 2015. One attack last year at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles resulted in the facility paying $17,000 in bitcoin ransom to retrieve its data. “The unprecedented growth of ransomware was likely driven by easier access in the underground market and supported by the low cost of conducting a ransomware attack; the ease of spreading it; and the low risk of being caught or punished,” the report concluded. Titan can sense when the information is being sent over the internet asking a hacker for the key to encrypt the data, Baldonado said. “We stop that request so the software cannot continue the encryption,” he added. The cost for the Titan service ranges from $400 a month to $3,333 a month depending on how many computer addresses are protected. Oasis is currently in the testing phase of a version for the home and small businesses, which will cost in the $300 range. Testing it involves hiring hackers to try and crack through its protections. “It won’t be as powerful or handle as many connections but it will have all the security that the big Titan has,” Baldonado said. BlackLine Pride BlackLine Inc. was named as among the best places to work in the technology industry by Fortune magazine. The Woodland Hills accounting software developer placed No. 15 on the list of companies with less than 1,000 employees. In a survey of employees, 97 percent said they were proud to tell people they worked for BlackLine and that its facilities contributed to a good working environment, while 95 percent said they felt pride in what the company accomplishes. Fortune partnered with Great Place to Work, a consulting firm in San Francisco, to produce the list. It bases rankings on employees’ assessment of their companies’ culture, management, opportunities for advancement and other traits that add up to an exceptional workplace. BlackLine was founded in 2001 by Therese Tucker, its chief executive. The company develops software that reduces the need for human accountants by automating the process of closing out financial books and reconciling accounts. Its existing customers include Dow Chemical Co., Coca-Cola Co. and Air Medical Group Holdings. The company went public in an IPO last year. Musical App Guitar Center Inc. has introduced a new free app for its customers that gives access to new and used gear at any time. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices through the iOS App store and Google Play. The service gives customers of the Westlake Village musical instrument retailer an intuitive shopping experience, personalized notifications, the ability to read product reviews, a store locator with upcoming promotions and a social media feed to read what other customers are posting about the chain. Jeff Wisot, vice president of marketing and e-commerce, said Guitar Center was thrilled to be among the first instrument retailers to launch an app and give customers a convenient way to shop. “We’re seeing a significant shift to mobile shopping, and we feel it is important to offer our customers these comprehensive tools,” Wisot said in a statement. Staff Reporter Mark R. Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or [email protected].