Ransomware is a type of malicious software that is designed to block access to a device or network until the victim pays the attacker money. The ransomware encrypts the files, making them unusable. In the late 1980s, cyber attacks started as a simple virus spread through floppy discs, but now cybercrime has evolved into a billion-dollar industry
New security measures exist, but ransomware groups are constantly evolving to adapt to them. They are relentless and find new ways to extort victims. As long as they keep successfully getting businesses to pay up, attacks will only continue to increase and expand.
Luckily, there’s good news. With proper preparations, you can minimize the risk of a ransomware attack on your organization and mitigate the impacts if an attack does occur. Read on to explore the best defense against ransomware and learn practical steps you can take today to start protecting your business.
Best Practices and Precautions
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends the following precautions to protect against ransomware:
Regularly update software and operating systems with the latest patches.
One of the easiest and most effective measures against ransomware is updating your software and operating systems regularly with the latest patches. Cybercriminals often target outdated applications and systems.
Keeping your systems up to date ensures that security gaps and vulnerabilities are patched, which makes it much more difficult for attackers to find a way in.
Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails.
Phishing emails are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments. It’s essential to verify the sender and email content before clicking links or downloading files. If you ever receive an email from an unknown sender or a source you don’t recognize, it’s best to delete it immediately and warn your colleagues.
Back up data regularly on a separate device and store it offline.
Regularly backing up your data is a crucial step in minimizing the risk of losing it to ransomware. Keeping a copy of your data on a separate device and storing it offline will help you recover your data after a ransomware attack. It’s also extremely important to regularly test your backup system to ensure the data can be restored when needed.
Follow safe practices when using devices that connect to the internet.
Safe practices when using devices that connect to the internet include
- Avoiding public Wi-Fi networks
- Not downloading files from untrusted sources
