Ransomware tops the most common cyber security threats in 2023, and its constant target is businesses that hold important information. The ransomware organisations deploy coders to create ransomware files disguised as trusted sources. Users accidentally download the files, and the malware encrypts files or locks the system.
The attacks demanding a ransom (money) are an exchange of data which has become the most common trend. Therefore, businesses need to protect themselves from ransomware attacks and data loss. Here are a few steps to avoid it.
Training and Education are Important
The foremost step towards protecting your business from ransomware attacks is to raise awareness and educate your employees. The ransomware organisation knows which company holds sensitive data, and its loss can hinder its business. As a result, they will ask for the ransom amount to give back access to the data.
Generally, the employee clicks on ransomware files accidentally, which welcomes the attack. You can organise seminars, give regular updates, explain past breaches, and introduce them to new technologies to avoid ransomware. Some of the things you can do are:
- Conduct training programs
- Training programs via videos and other interactive methods
- Explain how regular updates, antivirus, and other technical methods can avoid the risk.
Deploy an Incredible Data Backup and Recovery Plan
Performing regular data backup and having a robust recovery plan is the key to minimising the effect of cyber attacks on your business. This reduces the downtime and its impact.
For example, if you have an online training and coaching business and have an external backup, you can use the data to restart the normal business. Hence, it gives you time to deal with the data breach with internal or external help while smoothly running the business.
Also, having a robust recovery plan is important. This must be your first step when you encounter a ransomware attack. ProvenData is one of the best solutions for recovery after a ransomware attack, as it lets you immediately go for recovery.
So, as soon as you notice a ransom demand on your device and a change in the extension name of your files, it’s time to deploy recovery solutions. So, an external backup and recovery solution will decrease your downtime and not drastically affect your business.
Update Your Systems Regularly
It’s very important to update all your business devices and softwares regularly. The updated patches are aware of suspicious files and warn you about the risk. Therefore, it becomes tough for hackers to attack and affect the updated devices. To do so, you can ask your IT team or train your employees to:
- Always turn on an “auto-update.”
- Regularly check and update your hardware, software, and applications.
- Periodically check the security and anti-malware software you are using.
Manage the use of Privileged Accounts
Privileged accounts are valid credentials that are used in business to gain access. Limiting the use of privileged accounts in your company means you’re restricting the ability of hackers to attack these systems.
The limit to these privileged accounts will reduce the exposure to malware. Moreover, you can use an endpoint security solution to scan everything before downloading it. This will reduce the attacks significantly.
Generally, compromising credentials and a poor password system make hackers easily infiltrate the system and can track all the business devices. Initiating scanning, having strong passwords, and limiting the use of privileged accounts will help you a lot.
Email Scanning & Filtering is Important
Email attacks are one of the most common methods used by attackers. This is called phishing, where there is an attachment in the mail that looks very reliable. After downloading the file, it encrypts your files and locks the system.
Deploying email scanning and filtering solutions can reduce the risk a lot. It scans all the files even without downloading them. You can train your staff to use this scanning to prevent the attack on ransomware at the entry-level.
Secure the Domain Name System (DNS)
A specific and useful DNS security assists you in protecting against the attack by blocking risky domains and avoiding ongoing attacks. The risky domain is responsible for spreading malware and ransomware. At later stages of attacks, the hackers use DNS tunnelling to communicate between your environment and their control servers. With potent DNS security, you can stop this communication.
Finally, implementing holistic cybersecurity insights through the system, network segmentation into small groups, and awareness can greatly help you. New cyberattacks are being launched every minute, and losing your valuable data can affect business in many ways. So update your devices and stay updated to avoid all the hassle.
