Ransomware attacks can be vicious. They sneak in through fake apps, infected websites, and suspicious emails. Once it infects your files, you are powerless to do anything about it. These viruses can wreak havoc on your entire computer system, as evidenced in 2017 when one of these programs infected more than 200,000 computers in more than 150 countries.
The attacks can swiftly affect dozens of computers at your company, but fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself so that your odds of becoming a victim are greatly reduced. Below are some of those ways that will help you to protect against ransomware attacks.
- Back up Everything, Every Day
We?ve all heard this one a million times, but it always bears repeating. If you back up everything on your computer every single day, the chances that one of your files will become infected are very slim. Backing up the entire computer doesn?t take long and can be done in a matter of minutes. You can even back up your files while you?re doing something else because it?s that simple to do.
- Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan
The management team of your company needs to get together and develop a specific plan to deal with any vicious attacks on your computer system. It should include very detailed information and a step-by-step plan that can be put into effect immediately upon learning that a ransomware attack has occurred. You?ll need to include experts, of course, so that if one of these attacks does occur, everyone will know just what to do.
- Install an Antivirus Firewall
Antivirus firewalls help a lot in preventing these disastrous attacks on your computer system. While they don?t always catch everything, they usually catch what they need to catch to prevent these horrible attacks from ruining the computers at your company. Firewalls work 24/7 to get rid of any type of attack on your files, and they usually don?t cost very much to install.
- Apply Security Patches to All Applications
Cyberattacks often happen because the attackers exploit your vulnerable areas that are found within third-party plugins and applications. If you apply security patches to Java, Adobe, Flash, etc., and keep them updated as well, hackers won?t be able to enter your computers through holes found in the software you have installed. Continuous updates and patching, in other words, make these cyberattacks much less likely to happen.
- Always Screen the Emails You Get
We all know the drill — don?t open any email that looks suspicious — but it?s amazing how many people do just that each and every day. When your computers get ransomware attacks, they usually come through either emails or ads. Go ahead and start now by viewing each and every online ad and email thoroughly, and if it looks suspicious in any way, leave it alone. This is why so many people make it a habit not to open any email unless they specifically know the recipient.
- Invest in Security Awareness Training
You can?t expect your employees to know what to do about cyberattacks unless you teach them what to look for, and some training can help you do just that. There are lots of awareness training programs you can implement, so choosing one shouldn?t be difficult. Just make sure that your employees are all well trained so they know how to spot a potential cyberattack.
