It is common for a lot of computer users to save personal and vital information on their computers. Computer systems security has evolved from simple passwords to very advanced security software, and so has malicious Malware. 

Malware attack personal data and puts them at risk. An example of such Malware is Ransomware; this Malware holds a person’s data while threatening to leak said data unless a ransom is paid.

Ransomware can restrict access to the computer system it infects or the data it stores by encrypting all the files. It often uses encryption methods (for example, asymmetric encryption) and asks that a ransom be paid to the Malware’s creator for removing the restrictions. If you wonder how this could affect your computer system, you must read on. 

What is a Ransomware?

Ransomware is one of the most widespread malware threats. One of the biggest Ransomware attack payouts happened in July 2020 when The Ragnar Locker group took down travel services giant CWT Global. 

This ransomware attack compromised 2 TB(Terabytes) and shut down 30,000 computers. Ransomware attacks can also occur on a smaller scale, and everyone who uses a computer system should get protected from these attacks.

Ways You Can Prevent a Ransomware Attack 

Backup your data:  Back up your data to an external hard drive, or a virtual server is one of the simplest risk avoidance methods because, in the event of a ransomware attack, you can completely wipe the computer and install the backup data files. 

Organizations are advised to back up their data at least once daily, but this might not be feasible for private users. You must back up your files regularly, at least monthly. You could try to keep three separate copies of your data on two different storage types, keeping one copy offline. For extra caution, you could add one more document to a cloud storage service that cannot be altered or deleted.

Email Protection: Email phishing attacks are the highest cause of malware infections. There are several ways ransomware can infect a user through email. Some of them include: downloading suspicious attachments in your Email, click on links to an infected website, and Social Engineering (misleading users into exposing sensitive information). Avoid clicking on attachments, files, or links from unknown senders or unauthorized sources, as this is one of the most popular routes ransomware attackers use.

Avoid installing software from unknown sources: A common way ransomware gains access to your system is by masking applications that require you to give them software administrative privileges without knowing the content or function. This can put your computer at significant risk as it grants attackers full access to your device.

Antiviruses and safe software: There are two ways to do it; you install good antivirus software that detects ransomware as soon as it arrives. Or better, using secure listing software that prevents unauthorized applications from executing in your system is a great way to avoid a ransomware attack. 

Limit User Access Privileges: Another way to protect your network and systems is by limiting user access and permissions to only the data needed to work. This idea of least privilege limits determines who can access important data. Doing so can prevent ransomware from spreading between systems within a company. Even with access, users may encounter limited functions.

In conclusion, it is unrealistic to expect that you can always be ahead of a ransomware attack when you have made no effort to prevent one from happening to you. You can always do this by ensuring that your files are backed up so that you do not end up at the mercy of hackers; speak to professionals like us here at Virtually Managed IT Solutions to handle your computer security.