Recent data reveals that ransomware attacks are on the rise. According to a report by information security firm Sonic Wall, 181.5 million attacks were recorded in the first half of 2018. This represents a 229% increase over the previous year.
Hackers have also been working on developing new variants to create more powerful ransomware capable of bypassing defense systems. Therefore, there is no single action to protect companies from attacks. A series of practices must be put into action.
In this article, we will show you 5 ways to increase your protection against ransomware attacks. Check it out!
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Ransomware attacks: 5 ways to increase your company's protection
1. Layered protection
2. Firewall
3. Antispam
4. Software Update
5. Cloud Backup
Ransomware attacks: 5 ways to increase your company's protection
SonicWall experts, according to research cited at the beginning of the article, point out that encrypted attacks are growing at record levels.
In addition to developing ransomware, hackers are selling the malware on the dark web. A survey conducted by Carbon Black, a digital security company, revealed that sales of ransomware on the dark web grew 2,500% between 2016 and 2017. And the prices are not that high compared to the damage they can cause; most of them cost no more than $100.
Read also: RANSOMWARE: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR COMPANY?
To protect yourself, it is essential to follow a series of measures. Check out the main ways to protect your company from ransomware attacks!
1. Layered protection
For many years, companies have invested in good antivirus software to protect themselves. However, with the advancement of technology and the creation of increasingly powerful malware, phishing, spam, spyware, viruses and ransomware, it has also become necessary to invest in new solutions. The goal is to create a barrier and prevent any type of cyber plague from invading the company's computers.
2. Firewall
A firewall is an intermediary system that checks information entering and leaving the company. It allows the passage of what is safe and blocks what could cause damage or put the company at risk. In addition, it also controls employee activities and access, thus preventing them from taking risks on suspicious websites.
3. Antispam
Several cyber threats reach company computers via email. These are perfectly constructed fake messages that can trick employees into clicking on links and downloading attached files.
Antispam works directly on employees' emails. The tool identifies unwanted emails, such as offers, advertisements, etc., and directs this content to the spam or junk folder.
Other spam filters deliver emails to the inbox, but flag unwanted content cpa mailing list as spam. There are also anti-spam tools that block this type of email from entering, preventing employees from opening it.
4. Software Update
Within a company, it is essential to have software to manage and execute activities. There are different types of systems for each area of the business and they must meet the company's needs at all times. Otherwise, they can put information at risk.
When a company is opened, it is natural to rely on more limited and economical software. Some companies do not have the budget to invest in more than one software and, in some cases, they even give up on this tool.
Over time, and as the business grows, it is essential to invest in systems that offer more security and that have certifications, seals and complete integrations.
Assess the stage your company is at, the volume of information it receives, sends and stores, and whether the software currently in use is keeping it secure. Analyze the features that the current system offers, what its limitations are, and consider upgrading to a more complete and secure software.
5. Cloud Backup
Companies that are concerned about the security of their data perform periodic backups. In this sense, the cloud has been the best solution. With cloud backup, both old and new data will be safe.
The cloud allows saved information to be available for retrieval whenever necessary. In addition, it does not require the use of a dedicated machine, as the data is saved in the cloud and can be accessed on any device with an internet connection.
This means that if the company suffers a natural disaster, hardware problems, a ransomware attack, human error or any other problem that could put information at risk, it can be accessed and recovered if the backup is in the cloud.