Ransomware protection solutions to guard your data

By Lilian MulitiLast Updated November 10, 2023

Cybercriminals have upgraded their game and turned to ransomware as the ideal tool for attacking and extorting businesses and individuals. Ransomware has become complicated and prevalent and can damage your data and business reputation significantly. Data is the most valuable asset to most companies, and losing it could affect the entire business. For this reason, investing in ransomware protection is essential. This article will discuss ransomware and how to safeguard your computers and data from these malicious attacks.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is malware used by cybercriminals to infect computers and hold sensitive data hostage until they are paid a ransom or fee. Cybercriminals use an encryption Trojan to restrict you from accessing your data until you pay the ransom. Cybercriminals can expose confidential data if you fail to pay the money they are demanding. Here are some primary ways people fall victim to ransomware:

Phishing emails
Downloading infected files
Accessing corrupted websites
Having vulnerable computer systems and networks
Attacks through Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Ransomware protection will help you safeguard your personal information and ensure business continuity. Unfortunately, ransomware protection is more than installing a computer anti-virus. Instead, it involves implementing the best security practices, backing up your data, educating your employees, and establishing a reliable response plan in the event of a ransomware attack. Failing to have a multi-layered security strategy places you or your business at risk of a ransomware attack and paying a lot of money to access your systems and data.

Best Ransomware Protection Practices

Fortunately, ransomware protection practices will safeguard you and your business from attacks. Following basic cybersecurity practices and staying proactive is essential since technology constantly evolves and cybercriminals are identifying new attack strategies. Here are the best ransomware protection best practices.

1. Backup Your Data

Backing up data to a cloud server or external hard drive is among the most ignored yet effective ways to protect yourself and your business. A data backup plan allows you to clean your computer and reinstall your files in case of a ransomware attack. Large organizations should back up their crucial information daily. The best approach is to follow the 3-2-1 rule. Ensure you save your data into three separate copies. Store two copies in different storage types and keep one offline copy.

2. Keep Your System and Software Updated

Ransomware evolves as technology advances. You can expect cybercriminals to have new malware or viruses that can access computers with outdated security features. For this reason, ensure your computer’s operating system, anti-malware software, and web browser are updated. Most cybercriminals target businesses using obsolete legacy systems. As such, companies need to update their systems to avoid becoming ransomware victims quickly.

Perhaps the most recent ransomware attack is the software WannaCry that crippled large businesses worldwide in 2017. The malicious software affected over 230,000 computers globally. Additionally, it forced companies like the NHS hospital in Great Britain, Spanish Telecommunication Company Telefonica, and Apple chip supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturer Co. to cease operations for four days. Since then, cybersecurity experts recommend updating your systems when there is a new version.

3. Install Anti-malware and Ransomware Software

The current anti-malware and ransomware software are effective and provide the best defense against ransomware attacks. The software will automatically scan, detect, and respond to cyber threats. Please purchase the best software since some cannot prevent a ransomware attack.

Installing a firewall is the best thing since it protects against software and private networks. A firewall can filter and block malware from entering your system. Additionally, the use of whitelists and blacklists is an excellent way to improve your cybersecurity. Your computer will not automatically install any blocked entity or application.

4. Network Segmentation

Ransomware spreads fast once it enters your system. Therefore, limiting the attack as much as possible is essential. Network segmentation will divide your system into smaller networks to help you segregate the threat, prevent it from spreading, and eradicate it quickly. Network segmentation allows you to install security controls on each subsystem. As such, the ransomware will not reach the target data, allowing your cybersecurity team to deal with the ransomware quickly without affecting your business operations.

5. Email Protection

Do you know that email phishing is the leading cause of ransomware attacks? A report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2021 stated that phishing scams were the top cybercrimes in 2020, resulting in over $4.2 billion in loss and theft. Ransomware can infect your computer through email in different ways, including the following;

Visiting infected websites, primarily through clicking on unknown links
Downloading suspicious email attachments
Tricking the user into exposing sensitive information or social engineering

Please take precautions by keeping your client apps updated, avoiding clicking or downloading attachments from unknown or unauthorized sources, and investing in a Sender Policy Framework (SPF), an email authentication technique that designates specific email servers to send messages. Additionally, use DomainKeys Identification Mail (DKIM) to provide an encryption key and digital signature to verify your emails. You can also authenticate emails by matching SPF and DKIM protocols through the Domain Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC).

6. Install Endpoint Security

Businesses should invest in endpoint security since they use different laptops, smartphones, or servers to access company information. Cybercriminals target endpoints to access your company’s confidential data. Installing endpoint protection platforms (EPP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) for all network users will help mitigate the problem.

EPP and EDR will help your cyber security team to monitor each remote device and manage their security. EDR responds to and counters immediate threats infiltrating your network. Rest assured that your company’s information is safe once you install this software. EDR and EPP include computer protection tools like anti-virus and anti-malware, web browser security, data encryption, and mobile security.

7. Limit User Access Privileges

Every business should limit user access to only the data they need to work. This is an excellent ransomware protection solution since it prevents the attack from spreading between systems. An authorized user may also encounter limited functions defined as role-based access control policy.

Your user access privileges should involve a zero-trust model that assumes all users are untrustworthy. As such, users must identify themselves whenever they want to access data. The perfect identity verification requires at least two-factor or multi-factor authentication. These protocols will help you prevent cybercriminals from accessing confidential data in case of an attack.

8. Security Awareness Training

Cybercriminals target end-users and employees as their gateway. For this reason, every company should invest in cybersecurity awareness training. An ill-equipped employee can easily fall victim to phishing and social engineering. Basic cybersecurity knowledge can prevent attacks and keep your data safe.

Here are some basic cybersecurity training you can provide to your employees:

How to browse safely
How to create robust and secure passwords
How to identify and use secure VPNs
Ways to identify suspicious emails
How to update computer operating systems and software
Importance of keeping business operations confidentiality

What to Do After a Ransomware Attack

Besides implementing the above ransomware protection measures, knowing what to do after a ransomware attack is essential. Remember, everyone is prone to ransomware attacks, and part of your cybersecurity should include a ransomware incident response plan.

Here are some steps to take should a ransomware attack occur:

Identify Key Personnel and Roles. This is the first step to creating a perfect response plane if an attack occurs. Ensure you have an IT team that will work on identifying and eliminating the threat. The legal team will deal with legal issues, while your PR personnel will communicate with stakeholders. You can also identify external resources like cybersecurity consultants and law enforcement agencies to help in your response efforts.
Never Pay Cybercriminals. Paying the ransom encourages the cybercriminals to continue with their work. Additionally, you don’t have a guarantee that the criminals will provide a working decryption key. Moreover, the data might be corrupted even if you get a working decryption key.
Establish a Practical Communication Procedure. Everyone panics when a ransomware attack happens. Unfortunately, panic can prevent clear communication and hinder quick and effective responses. Establishing a communication procedure will help your team work efficiently to mitigate the issue. Ensure everyone knows who to talk to and what information to provide.
Containment and Eradication. Containing and eradicating the threat should be your priority. Your IT experts can isolate the affected systems to prevent the ransomware from spreading. The professionals will then identify and remove the ransomware from your network. This is a complex process and should be handled by skilled IT professionals or external cybersecurity consultants.
Recovery and Restoration. Recovering your data and restoring operations are the next steps after containing and eradicating the threat. You can restore and recover backup data to continue routine business work.

In conclusion, an excellent ransomware protection solution begins before the attack. Please don’t wait until you fall victim to a ransomware attack to implement prevention measures. You must stay ready for every possible scenario. Therefore, ensure you back up your data, install anti-ransomware software, and educate your employees on practical cybersecurity tips. Start by exploring the best ransomware protection solution for your organization.