How to protect your data from ransomware

As tech keeps booming, it’s crucial to amp up cybersecurity to match. Everyone, from individuals to companies, needs to make a ransomware defense plan a top priority. Without one, folks and organizations with weak protection are just asking for trouble, risking the loss of crucial and confidential info. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, 2021 saw a ransomware attack go down roughly every 11 seconds, causing a whopping $20 billion in damages. These shady schemes usually go after folks or businesses who are likely to cough up the cash to get their data back.

For lots of companies, their data is like the holy grail—it’s the most valuable thing they’ve got. If they lose it, the damage could be so bad it might wreck the whole operation. So, it’s smart to get on top of top-notch ransomware protection before any potential threats get a chance to mess things up. Keep reading to find out how you can shield your data from future attacks!

Ransomware explained

Ransomware is like the ninja of malware—it sneaks into your computer, grabs your important stuff or personal info, and then plays keep-away until you pay up. Those cyber crooks usually lock things down with a secret code, making you cough up the cash to get your data back.

Ransomware hits hard, especially for businesses, hospitals, schools, and any outfit that needs its info to run the show. If you don’t pony up the ransom, you’re looking at saying goodbye to your confidential data—gone for good or out there for everyone to see.

Common ransomware

• Phishing emails
• Visiting corrupted websites
• Downloading infected file extensions or malicious attachments
• System and network vulnerabilities
• Remote desktop protocol (RDP) attacks

Also Read: How to clean your computer from malware

How to protect your data from ransomware

Good news is, you’ve got plenty of ways to shield yourself from getting slammed by ransomware. Since tech keeps on changing, it’s smart to stick to the basics of cybersecurity and stay one step ahead. That way, you won’t ever have to worry about ransomware messing with you or your business.

Keep data backups

One of the simplest ways to lower the risk is to back up your data on an external hard drive or in the cloud. If ransomware hits, you can just wipe your computer and bring back the files from your backup. It’s best for organizations to make sure they’re backing up their crucial data at least once a day.

Keep everything up to date

Never slack off on updating your operating system, web browser, antivirus, and any other software you’ve got. Malware, viruses, and ransomware are always changing their game, coming up with new tricks that can slip through the cracks of outdated security features. Keep everything patched and up-to-date to stay on top of the security game.

Lots of attackers go after big businesses that are still hanging on to old-school systems that haven’t seen an update in ages. One of the most notorious ransomware attacks happened in 2017 when this nasty software called WannaCry messed up major companies worldwide. It hit NHS hospitals in the UK, the Spanish telecom giant Telefónica, and even made Apple chip supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) slam the brakes on operations for four days. Overall, it wreaked havoc on more than 230,000 computers all over the globe.

Install firewalls and antivirus

The go-to defenses against ransomware are solid antivirus and anti-malware software. They’re like the frontline soldiers that can scan, spot, and tackle cyber threats. But, don’t forget to set up your firewall too. Antivirus software only kicks in once the attack is inside the system, so a configured firewall is like having an extra layer of security at the entrance.

Think of firewalls as the bouncers at the club’s entrance, the first line of defense against any outside attacks. They’re the superheroes that shield against both software and hardware-based threats. Every business or private network needs them—they’re the gatekeepers that sift through and block any shady data trying to sneak into the system.

Also Read: How to set up smart home devices

Email protection in necessary

Throughout history, phishing attacks via email have been the main culprits behind malware infections. In 2020, a whopping 54% of managed service providers (MSP) pointed fingers at phishing as the top way ransomware sneaks in. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) backed this up, naming phishing scams as the big player in cybercrime for 2020, racking up a massive $4.2 billion in losses and theft.

Steer clear of emails from unfamiliar senders – Resist the urge to open messages from unknown sources and don’t click on attachments, files, or links from unauthorized addresses.

Keep your email client apps up to date – Prevent cybercriminals from exploiting security gaps in outdated technology by making sure your email apps are always current.

Leverage Sender Policy Framework (SPF) – Use this email authentication method to specify which email servers are authorized to send outgoing messages.

Implement DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) – Enhance email security by adding an encryption key and digital signature to verify that the email hasn’t been tampered with, spoofed, or forged.

Activate Domain Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) – Further fortify email authenticity by cross-referencing SPF and DKIM protocols to ensure the legitimacy of incoming messages.