In many ways, the Internet still feels like an untamed wilderness. Threats to your business show up all the time, and this doesn’t even consider the powder keg that is social media. According to Cisco’s Annual Cybersecurity Report, ransomware is growing 350% on a yearly basis. That means that the number of attacks your business could run into is going to increase. Follow these five tips to make sure your company and employees are taking the right measures to staying safe online.
Remember Your Employees
Your employees spend most of their day on their computers, so it makes sense that they will be the first to encounter ransomware. Cybercriminals use spam emails to distribute ransomware. These messages have the potential to make their way into your employee’s inbox. Educate them on how to spot and handle an email that might contain ransomware.
Don’t Pay the Ransom
The worst-case scenario occurred, and your computer has been affected by ransomware. Under no circumstance should you pay the ransom. Your data and information has already fallen into the hands of a criminal, why would you expect them to keep their word if you pay? If you find yourself in this situation, reach out to a trusted IT service provider for further assistance.
Take Regular Backups
Since you shouldn’t trust a hacker to hand over the data they have recovered, you’ll need to make sure you have a reliable way of securing your data. A data backup is the only way you can ensure you can restore your information after a disaster, ransomware or not. Ideally, you would have a data backup solution that performs multiple backups throughout the day. The data would then be sent to an off-site data center or the cloud. Having the backup away from the infected network is the only way to ensure you will be able to properly recover it if needed.
Ensure Your Security is Up to Date
Cybercriminals will do anything to try to slip ransomware through the cracks in an organizations network. Security providers work around the clock to prevent any attacks and fix vulnerabilities in the system. It is up to you to make sure you install any patch or update the developer sends out. It’s also imperative that your staff is informed of the updates, so all computers on the network have the latest security measures.
Be Wary of Email
In general, you want to pay close attention to any email that enters your inbox. If a link or attachment looks suspect, make sure to flag it and alert you IT technician. Encourage all your users to be cautious of any unsolicited messages.
Microsoft users who want to find out more about ransomware can do so at the Ransomware FAQ that is regularly updated in the Windows Defender Security Intelligence (WDSI) database of threats. If you want a more personalized approach to ransomware security, however, reach out to IT Support Guys at 855-4IT-GUYS (855-448-4897).
