Written by Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common in the last few years, and they can have a devastating impact on businesses.
There are a number of things that businesses should do to mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks. These include:
- Keeping systems patched and up-to-date: Everyone hates Windows updates as they inevitably break some software of functionality of the PC, however, ransomware often exploits known vulnerabilities in software. By keeping systems patched and up-to-date, businesses can reduce the risk of being exploited by ransomware.
- Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication can help to protect against unauthorized access to systems. Avoid reusing the same password across multiple vital systems/accounts.
- Educating employees about phishing: Phishing is a common way that ransomware is delivered. By educating employees about phishing, businesses can help to prevent employees from clicking on malicious links or opening infected attachments.
- Backing up data regularly: Having a recent backup of data can help to minimize the impact of a ransomware attack. For better protection, businesses should adhere to the 3-2-1 backup strategy. This strategy implies that you should have 3 copies of your data (your production data and 2 backup copies) on two different media (hard copy and online backup solution for example) with one copy off-site for disaster recovery.
- Using a ransomware protection solution: Magnum Software Systems offers ransomware protection for its cloud clients’ computers. WinSale Cloud has implemented ransomware protection for years and we are happy to finally offer it to our end user’s machines.
Ransomware attacks can be devastating, but by following these tips, businesses can help to mitigate the risk of being attacked.