Ransomware is a classification of software that we’ve typically seen encrypting data in a client’s network. How it works is like this: you would get an infection in your organization, the people who wrote this software would go in and encrypt your data, which essentially put a padlock on your data, and then dangle the key in front of you with a ransom and say, “You need to pay us this amount of money if you’d like to unlock your data and be able to access it again.”

So obviously that’s been a very problematic infection and it’s become very popular. It’s made its rounds these last few years in the form of a crypto wall, cryptolocker, and a few other similar infections. We suggest four steps to stay on top of your game to make sure this doesn’t happen to you.

Antivirus Software and a Firewall

It is important to use antivirus software and firewalls from a reputable source. If your antivirus software and firewalls are not from a reputable source, your business and data are already at a disadvantage for when people attempt to infect your organization. It is also important to maintain both of these through automatic updates. Updates for software and firewalls are due to the ever-changing tactics that hackers are using. If your software is not updated, then it allows hackers an easier way to infect your business.

Enable Popup Blockers

Popups are used by criminals to spread malicious software because it is very easy for someone to accidently click on a popup because they were trying to do something, and the popup occurred where they were already clicking. To avoid clicks, accidental or otherwise, on or within popups, it’s best to prevent them from appearing in the first place.

Always Have Backups

If you backup and maintain offline copies of your data, Ransomware scams will have limited impact. If you have copies of all of your data in a different location, then the amount of leverage that the Ransomware conductor has on your business will be greatly limited or even eliminated.

Be Skeptical

Don’t click on any emails, files or attachments you don’t recognize and avoid any suspicious websites altogether. Deleting and reporting emails that seem untrustworthy will be critical in stopping the spread of an infection. People can make mistakes and informing people quickly of possible malware links will help reduce the impact if someone were to click on a link.

Through managed backups, we’ve been able to help clients through these infections altogether. Let JENLOR help you stop Ransomware before it affects your business. Contact us today!