Prevent Ransomware from Shutting you Down

Email ransomware attacks have been on the rise recently so it’s best to be on the lookout for any suspicious emails to avoid being the next victim of a ransomware attack. Ransomware is a type of malware that locks your computer and prevents you from accessing your files until you pay money to the hackers to regain access to your computer. Ransomware is spread through attachments in emails, visiting sketchy websites, and using infected software. That being said – there are ways for you to avoid ransomware. Here are some tips to avoid all forms of ransomware:

Antivirus and Security Software

  • Enable regular system and network scans with antivirus programs. Create an anti-spam solution to stop phishing emails from reaching the network. Consider adding a warning message to all emails from external sources that reminds users of the dangers of clicking on links and opening attachments.

Backup all of your data

  • This isn’t a preventative measure as much as it is a back up plan for the event of ransomware getting on your computer. Getting locked out of your files isn’t as big of a deal when you have a backup of everything. It’s important to only backup about once or twice a day and not have your software constantly backing everything up. It’s even more ideal to backup in two different ways – use an external hard drive and cloud storage. Routinely test backups for data integrity and to ensure it is operational.

Keep all systems updated

  • including all hardware, mobile devices, operating systems, software, and applications. Use a centralized update management system if available. Keeping your systems updated reduces the chances of your computer getting infected with ransomware. 

Remove plugins and any add-ons

  • Remove all plugins and add-ons on your browser that are no longer needed. If there are any plugins that you need make sure they are updated. Use a proxy server for Internet access and consider ad-blocking software. You can also restrict access to common ransomware entry points, such as personal email accounts.

Don’t open suspicious emails

  • If you are getting emails from email accounts you don’t recognize then do not open any attachments or click on any links. Even if the email is sent from somebody you know with a suspicious link do not open the link. If you think there is anything suspicious about an email it is better to play it on the safe side and not open anything.

To sum everything up – the best route you can take when it comes to avoiding ransomware is to avoid any links / emails that seem suspicious, update all of your antivirus and security software, and make sure you have backups of all of your important files and data. 

Share it :
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Solinkit