Learn about ransomware. Get tips on how to protect your network from ransomware. Find out why small and medium businesses need to be proactive about ransomware.
Safeguard Your Business From the Threat of Ransomware
Learn about ransomware. Get tips on how to protect your network from ransomware. Find out why small and medium businesses need to be proactive about ransomware.
Between 2018 and 2019, ransomware attacks increased by 74%, and cybersecurity expert Ryan Weeks writes in Forbes, “Attacks have become so common that it’s no longer a question of if an organization will be attacked, but rather when and to what extent.” No business or organization is exempt from this risk, and in fact, 86% of small and medium companies have recently faced an attack.
If you aren’t taking steps to protect your network from ransomware, you need to address this threat. Here is what you need to know and a look at essential tips to protect your enterprise.
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents you from accessing your data. Typically, if you’ve been infected, you turn on your computer or try to open a file, and you see a message blocking access to your data and demanding a ransom.
Of course, to pay the ransom, you cannot just whip out a credit card. Instead, you have to figure out how to pay the cybercriminal using bitcoin or some other type of untraceable cryptocurrency. In most cases, once you pay the ransom, you automatically receive a code so that you can regain access to your encrypted files, but remember, you’re dealing with criminals —- paying the ransom doesn’t guarantee that the cyberthief will follow through with their promises. To avoid this situation, you need to be proactive about protecting your business from ransomware.
How to Protect Your Business From Ransomware
To protect your business from ransomware, check out these essentials tips:
Back up everything daily on site and in the cloud.
Invest in high quality cyber protection tools including antivirus software, antimalware software, DNS filtering, business grade firewalls, etc.
Make sure your antivirus and antimalware programs scan your network regularly.
Configure your firewall to prevent access to malicious IP addresses.
Never open email attachments or download files from unknown senders.
Even if an address looks familiar, be cautious about opening attachments you weren’t expecting. Cybercriminals often mimic email addresses of people you know to avoid detection.
Educate your employees about the risks of ransomware and ensure they follow your cybersecurity protocols. Implement regular cybersecurity training.
Minimize access to certain files. Carefully choose who gets access to sensitive data, and don’t give employees more access than they need.
Consider using techniques such as application whitelisting that prevent your network from executing programs that are not approved by your security policy.
Patch vulnerabilities in operating systems, software, and firmware regularly to minimize the risk of being attacked. Consider working with an IT professional who can automate patching for you.
Work with an IT services company that truly understands cybersecurity.
All of these tips and other strategies are part of your business continuity and disaster response strategy. Still, in addition to implementing these proactive measures, you also need to determine how you will respond if you do get attacked by ransomware.
Initially, you need to determine the type of ransomware — screen locking, encryption, or something just pretending to be ransomware. Then, you need to work with a cybersecurity expert to pay the ransom or remove the malicious software from your computer.
At the same time, you may need to notify clients about compromised data and take other steps to safeguard your reputation as you deal with the aftermath of an attack.
Get Help With Cybersecurity
At Pulse Technologies, we work hard to protect our clients from ransomware and other threats. We provide IT services and support to businesses and organizations in SW Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we can help you create a safe, secure, and efficient technology environment. To learn more about ransomware protection and our other services, contact us today.
Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), IT Service Management, Team Building, IT Strategy, and Management. Strong entrepreneurship professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) focused in Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management from Humboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin).
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