Guide To Preventing & Minimising The Impact Of Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware attacks are executed with the help of malware which restricts access to a particular device, file, or even a system. In simple words, the hackers block you out of your system and ask for ransom; until you pay it, the systems remain blocked.

Thankfully there are plenty of programs, software, and tools that can prevent it from happening to you. So, if you are also concerned about it happening to your systems or files, then ahead is a guide to prevent and minimize the impact of ransomware attacks.

Always Have A Backup

The simple and best thing you can do is maintain a backup for all your files. Make sure to have a backup out-of-band or offline. Do not back up your data on the same devices or systems that you use to go online.

Limit The Connection To Trusted Hosts

Ransomware variants use RDP port 3389 and SMB port 445 to block access to systems. So, if it’s not important to leave these ports open, you can consider limiting their access to trusted hosts.

Use Data Security Programs That Are Compatible With Your Systems

Sometimes the updated version of firmware might not configure with your system’s current version. Thus, before updating anything, make sure it’s compatible with your system. Failure of configuration can leave your system vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Come Up With Plan And Policies

Once you have got it under control by backing up the crucial data and having firmware that configures your system, you need a plan for the worst that can happen. Assemble an IT security team and devise a plan with them for situations when a ransomware event occurs. If it happens, your team will know how to deal with it.

Train Your Team Or Employ A Company

As mentioned above, you need an IT security team and a plan to cover all the basics. Once you have a plan, train your IT team to deal with the situation instantly. You can also employ a Cyber Security Company – Loop Secure, which is experienced in dealing with cyber–attacks.

Implement An IDS

To constantly monitor the systems and look out for malicious activities, you need to implement an Intrusion Detection System. It works by monitoring and comparing the network traffic logs. If there is any signature activity associated with the pattern of breaching the security, it will detect it and alert you.

Use Updated Systems

Technology is constantly advancing, and so is the cyber threats. Thus, new updates come out to deal with new viruses and malware. Due to this reason keeping your systems and software up-to-date is crucial. Updates are always the better versions with even more secure programs. So, it’s essential to keep your operating systems, devices, and applications up-to-date.

Final Thoughts

So, these are some of the things that you can do to prevent and minimize the impact of ransomware attacks. Hopefully, this guide helped you understand and implement plans and policies to avoid potential cyber-attacks.