How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks: Best Practices and Tips

What is ransomware and why is it a serious threat?

Ransomware is a type of cyberattack where criminals encrypt an organization’s critical data with a malicious code and demand a ransom payment in exchange for restoring access. These attacks have become more advanced and prevalent in recent years, posing a great danger to businesses of all sizes.

In fact, the consequences of ransomware malicious code can be devastating. Let’s see several significant examples. 

Colonial Pipeline attack 

The Colonial Pipeline attack was a ransomware attack that shut down the largest fuel pipeline in the United States, causing widespread panic and economic damage across the Eastern Seaboard. The hackers stole 100 gigabytes of data and encrypted critical systems, forcing the company to pay a $4.4 million ransom to regain control of its network and resume operations. This incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks and the  impact they can have on everyday lives.

JBS Foods attack 

The JBS Foods attack was a ransomware attack that targeted the world’s largest meat processor. The attack forced the company to shut down operations in multiple countries, disrupting global food supply chains and leading to significant economic losses. To have the control of its systems back, JBS paid a $11 million ransom to the attackers. The JBS case demonstrates that critical industries are not immune to cyberattacks, while such attacks have the potential for widespread disruption.

How do these terrible ransomware attacks happen? To understand this, we need to discuss the most common ways of ransomware infection. 

How ransomware infections happen

Cybercriminals use multiple ways to infiltrate systems and deploy ransomware:

• Phishing emails and links: Deceptive emails that mimic legitimate messages, often with urgent or enticing subject lines, trick employees into clicking malicious links or downloading malicious software. These attacks can lead to data breaches, malware infections, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  
• Outdated software: Unpatched vulnerabilities in outdated software provide easy entry points for attackers to exploit and gain unauthorized access to systems. This is the reason why regular software updates and patch management are crucial to address security vulnerabilities and protection against ransomware.
  
• Unsecured networks: Public Wi-Fi networks and poorly protected network infrastructures create significant security risks, as they can be easily intercepted and compromised by malicious actors. Using strong passwords, encryption, and avoiding sensitive activities on public networks can help mitigate these risks.
  

Those are the most common ways how ransomware can intrude in your company. With this knowledge in mind, let’s move on to discussion of the most effective methods of preventing and avoiding ransomware attacks. 

Steps to prevent ransomware

Below you can find a list of ransomware prevention best practices, so you can prepare your company for defending itself against these emerging threats: 

1. Make ransomware prevention part of your security strategy

Developing a comprehensive cybersecurity approach is crucial for protecting against ransomware threats. This involves:

• Creating an in-depth security framework: Developing a comprehensive security framework involves establishing clear security policies, procedures, security awareness training, and standards to guide organizational security practices. This framework should cover a wide range of areas, including access control, incident response, data protection, and threat intelligence.
  
• Implementing multi-layered defense mechanisms: Adoption of a multi-layered defense strategy involves using a combination of security technologies and techniques to protect against ransomware and other cyber threats. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, encryption, and user access controls. By implementing multiple layers of ransomware defense, you can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks.
  
• Regularly assessing and updating security protocols: Reviewing and updating security protocols on a constant basis is essential to ensure effective security in your company. This involves conducting vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits to identify and address potential weaknesses. 

2. Regularly back up data

For data backup consider implementing the following practices: 

• Use automated backup systems
• Store backups in multiple, secure locations
• Use offline and cloud-based backup solutions
• Test backup restoration processes from time to time

3. Train your employees

Employee education is a critical line of your ransomware defense:

• Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training
• Teach employees to recognize phishing attempts
• Establish clear protocols for handling suspicious communications
• Implement simulated phishing exercises

4. Keep software up-to-date

Using vulnerabilities of outdated software is one of the most common ways hackers can attack your company with ransomware. To make sure all your software is at minimal risk, follow these steps: 

• Ensure you have the most recent versions of all software
• Enable automatic updates when possible
• Patch systems promptly
• Use vulnerability management tools like Qualys, Nessus, or CrowdStrike Falcon

5. Secure your emails

To secure all your business or personal emails, we suggest you follow these tips: 

• Implement advanced email filtering: Advanced email filtering techniques, such as spam filters, malware scanning, and phishing detection, can help identify and block malicious emails before they reach your inbox. These email security software reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks and malware infections.
• Use multi-factor authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your email account by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or a security token. This makes it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access your account, even if they have your password.
• Adopt email encryption technologies: Email encryption technologies, such as PGP or S/MIME, can encrypt your email messages, ensuring that only the intended recipient can read them. This helps protect sensitive information from being intercepted and compromised.
• Use Anonymous Email by VeePN: With this feature, you can create fake email addresses that will forward all necessary messages to your real ones, thereby preventing your emails from ransomware attack attempts.
• Monitor and block suspicious email activities: Regularly check your email accounts for suspicious activity, such as unusual login attempts or large data transfers. Set up alerts to notify you of any anomalies and take immediate action to block malicious senders and prevent ransomware infections. Using VeePN’s Breach Alert can help you take an immediate action by notifying you when your email addresses are compromised.
  

6. Limit user permission

Limiting user access can significantly improve your ransomware security, which is why you need to do this: 

• Apply the principle of least privilege: Grant users the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job roles. This helps to limit the potential damage that can be caused by a security breach.  For example, if a user only needs to read emails, they should not be granted permission to send or delete them.
  
• Create role-based access controls: Implement role-based access controls (RBAC) to assign permissions based on a user’s role within the organization. This helps to ensure that users only have access to the resources and information they need to do their jobs. For example, a system administrator might have full access to all system resources, while a regular user might only have access to their own email and files.
  
• Regularly audit and update user permissions: Regularly review and update user permissions to ensure that they are still appropriate. This helps to identify and remove unnecessary permissions that could pose a security risk. For example, if a user leaves the organization, their access should be revoked immediately.
  
• Disable unnecessary administrative accounts: Disable any administrative accounts that are no longer needed. This helps to reduce the number of potential targets for attackers. If a user is no longer an administrator, their administrative privileges should be removed.

7. Use VPN

Using a virtual private networks (VPN) is one of the best ways to prevent ransomware attacks and ensure safety of network connections because VPN apps commonly offer:

• Encryption: All your data will turn into an unreadable gibberish that hackers won’t be able to decipher without a special decryption key. 
• Malware blocking: The majority of reputable VPN services offer this feature so that your devices don’t infect your network with ransomware and other malicious apps while remaining safeguarded. 
• Anonymous browsing: Since your Internet traffic gets encrypted and goes through a remote server, you can browse the web without any tracking and anyone spying on you. 

While free VPN applications may seem appealing, they often lack reliable encryption standards and, alarmingly, nearly 90% sell user data to third parties. To ensure your online privacy and security, we strongly recommend investing in a premium VPN service like VeePN. Let’s delve into the reasons why VeePN can be your ideal anti-ransomware solution.

How VeePN enhances ransomware protection

VeePN offers comprehensive security features:

• AES 256-bit encryption: Military-grade data protection that is considered the most reliable encryption technology so far as hackers won’t be able to access your data without a decryption key.
• No Logs policy: We won’t collect any of your personal information for commercial purposes. 
• Integrated antivirus software. VeePN offers a full-fledged antivirus software for Windows and Android devices.
• Wide device compatibility: You’ll be able to ensure ransomware attacks protection across all major platforms and operating systems using one subscription for up to 10 devices. 
• NetGuard: This feature will block all malware and pop-up ads to protect your network security. 

VeePN, as all-in-one security software, can shield you from various security threats. In addition to the goodies we’ve mentioned, VeePN offers Alternative ID service for protecting your privacy online. Download VeePN right now and enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee!

Written by VeePN Research Lab VeePN Research Lab is dedicated to provide you latest posts about internet security and privacy.

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