Protecting yourself from ransomware attacks is the primary goal of many computer users. The average ransomware attacks were $2.2 million in 2021 and will likely rise to $541,010 by 2022. This is a staggering increase. Also, the rise of ransomware attacks on mobile devices is especially alarming for businesses. For instance, if you have a Spectrum mobile plan or any other secure ISP, you will be less likely to face any ransomware. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent such attacks and stay proactive.
Here are Steps to Stay Secure
1. Anti-phishing Software
Anti-phishing software is a good way to protect yourself from phishing attacks. These attacks can be initiated through fraudulent email, a phone call, or a fake website. These scammers use fake government websites and email addresses to trick victims into providing their payment information. Phishing emails can be especially dangerous as they can contain ransomware and steal your personal information.
Anti-phishing software works by detecting malware embedded in emails and links. It also scans for malicious links and emails in the body of the emails. Infection with ransomware can lock down your data and prevent you from accessing it. Moreover, it can download keystroke viruses, allowing hackers to capture your login information. If you’re worried about ransomware attacks, make backups of your data.
2. Security Awareness Training
Ransomware can have a far greater impact on an organization than a data breach, but thankfully there are ways to prevent them. Training end users to identify signs of infection and reporting them can help keep your systems secure.
For example, an employee might find an encrypted file and then need to figure out how to send a message to the hacker demanding a ransom. Fortunately, it’s possible to bypass ransom demands by performing periodic data backups. By ensuring that employees know how to restore data from another source, you can bypass the ransom demand and avoid the expensive and time-consuming process of decrypting the encrypted files.
3. Incident Response Plan
The best way to defend against ransomware is to develop an Incident Response Plan (IRP). There is no single plan that works for every ransomware incident. You may have to adapt and work with outside experts. Ransomware decryption services are one option for recovering your data. As ransomware attacks constantly evolve, new threats may emerge at any time. Test your plan regularly to ensure that it is effective.
A sound incident response plan includes an attack prevention strategy. The first step is to identify any known vulnerabilities. This means assessing the threat level in your organization. Ransomware often creates tell-tale signs of compromised systems, including encrypted files. You must identify these signs and know who to contact for assistance. Sometimes, an employee may accidentally discover an encrypted file and need assistance. Quickly recognizing malicious activity will minimize the impact and expenses associated with the attack.
4. Downloading Antivirus
Another step to protect yourself from ransomware attacks is to download and update an antivirus program. This is critical, as missing patches will allow ransomware to spread. Antivirus software can help detect and fix these vulnerabilities before they infect your device. Finally, if you suspect that you’ve been attacked, try to download an antivirus or report it to law enforcement. They can use advanced recovery tools and software to restore your compromised data and catch the perpetrators.
5. Social Engineering Tactic to Protect from Ransomware
As the latest ransomware attack comes to light, you may be wondering whether there’s a social engineering tactic you can use to protect yourself. Ransomware attacks use expert coding and pretexting to make your computer vulnerable. Moreover, they often target your emotions. Regardless of their method of delivery, ransomware can cost you your reputation and financial security.
The best social engineering tactic to protect from ransomware is to ensure you’re not fooled by emails from unreliable sources. Never respond to emails asking you to divulge sensitive information. The sender may be impersonating a legitimate company, so you should take care to verify the information before responding.
Another social engineering tactic is to never provide sensitive information to people you don’t know. Don’t open emails from strangers or use the “cc:” command to access your computer. Never give strangers the benefit of doubt. Stranger offers are usually scams. Lastly, make sure to lock your workstation whenever you’re not in front of it.
