Almost seldom a day goes by without ransomware infecting a private computer or a company IT system. The outcome is always the same: the victims are extorted for large sums of money. Because of how serious the issue is, reports in respected news outlets have become more frequent in recent weeks. Security professionals often struggle to understand many ransomware versions, which causes major issues for the individuals who are afflicted. When people follow a few straightforward instructions, protecting themselves against ransomware is actually fairly simple.
Basic recommendations for avoiding ransomware
Email attachments should not be opened if the sender is unknown
Opening an email attachment is one of the most typical methods to become infected with ransomware. Always verify that you are the intended receiver and that the attachment was actually delivered by a person you know before opening any emails. Do not be afraid to pick up the phone and contact the sender to confirm that you are the intended recipient of the attachment if you are doubtful. Contact your IT security department right away if you got a potentially hazardous email at work.
Avoid dodgy websites
When browsing the internet, use extreme caution because some websites have the potential to be harmful and hazardous. Ransomware can be found on dubious websites that offer “free” file downloads, file sharing, and games. Additionally, ransomware can be camouflaged inside a web page’s JavaScript or under web banners. If you must visit a site like this, say as a journalist, be conscious that you are at risk and be ready with the most cutting-edge antivirus programme available.
Keep your computer system safe and your credentials secure
Some ransomware spreads by standard hacking techniques instead of emails and password theft. One person’s password(s) can be stolen and hacked by another, giving the criminal access to the computer. The issue is significantly worse when the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is enabled: Using this protocol, the ransomware can simply propagate from one computer to another. Therefore, if the RDP is not required in your business, keep it disabled at all times!
Close all open network connections
Disconnect your computer from the internet, Wi-Fi, and your network right away if you think something is amiss. In this way, if you take quick action, you might lessen the harm a ransomware assault does.
Always keep a fresh backup on hand
Having a recent backup of all of your files is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself from the effects of a ransomware attack and to make things tough for the criminals responsible. For all types of users, including residential, small to medium-sized organizations, and major corporations, there are several backup products and systems available on the market. Less data can be lost due to ransomware encryption the more often backups are performed.
However, if a new ransomware variant has infected your data, you don’t have a recent backup of your information, and you can’t find a decryption tool for this specific ransomware type, your only shot at a free recovery is to speak with a data recovery service provider.