Ransomware threatens to destroy or withhold critical data from victims unless a ransom is paid. A ransomware attack blocks access to important files on your computer or device until you pay the ransom to regain access.
“Experts predicted that a ransomware attack would take place every 11 seconds by 2021.” (Cybersecurity Ventures)
There is no doubt that ransomware attacks are not only a threat to individuals. As a matter of fact, cybercriminals are also often targeting businesses as targets for their crimes. In light of this, it is important to note that small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) are not the only ones targeted by ransomware – these companies have also been targeted by this type of malware. In recent years, ransomware has become increasingly prevalent and has caused damage to many industries. Due to the poor security systems in these countries, they are a desirable target for attackers.
How does Ransomware work?
Ransomware can enter a victim’s computer system through various means, such as email attachments, malicious links, or software vulnerabilities. Once it infects a system, it begins to encrypt the victim’s files and displays a ransom note, demanding payment in exchange for the decryption key. In some cases, the ransom note may appear to be from law enforcement or a government agency, creating a sense of urgency and pressure on the victim to pay.
Many ransomware attacks are conducted by social engineering methods, such as phishing, which involves tricking the victim into clicking on a malicious attachment within an email containing malicious code. After the malicious attachment is downloaded onto the victim’s device, the ransomware encrypts the files on the victim’s device.
According to VMware Carbon Black threat researchers, ransomware attacks increased by 148% in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus, which created new opportunities for hackers.
Malicious emails are commonly used to conduct these attacks by tricking victims into installing malware that steals financial information and turns computers into crypto-mining machines.
Based on this discussion, we have identified several very adequate security controls and practices that can drastically reduce your risk of being infected by ransomware.
Enhance email security
Ransomware groups most commonly use phishing emails to gain access to victims. Usually, a malicious link or URL in these suspicious emails delivers the ransomware payload to the recipient’s computer. Ensure you refrain from clicking on links in spam messages or websites you are unfamiliar with. Clicking on a malicious link could result in your computer being infected due to an automatic download, which you don’t want to happen. The implementation of an email security solution that sandboxes attachments and filters URLs. Streamlining these efforts can be achieved by automating the response process, which allows for retroactive quarantining of delivered emails before they are viewed by users.
Be cautious when opening attachments in emails that seem suspicious
There is also the possibility of ransomware getting onto your device through email attachments. It is always advisable not to open any attachments that appear to be suspicious in any way. It is important to remember the sender’s address and email address when it comes to making sure the sender’s address is correct. Upon opening the attached file, if it is infected, a malicious macro will run on your computer, and will be able to control your computer as long as you open the file.
Don’t divulge your personal information.An unknown caller, text message, or email requesting personal information should not be answered. When cybercriminals plan to attack you with ransomware soon, they might collect your personal information first, so they can craft phishing messages specifically for you based on their collected information. It is advisable to contact the sender directly if you have any doubts about the message’s legitimacy.
Don’t use any USB drive that is unknown to you
The best thing you can do if you don’t know where your USB stick came from or other storage media is to only connect them to your computer if you know where they came from. Therefore, it is possible that the storage medium was not only infected but it may have also been placed in a location where anyone could access it, thus enticing them to do so.
Ensure Good IT Hygiene
Keeping a close eye on your endpoints and workloads in your environment and automating any vulnerable attack surfaces throughout your environment is crucial to minimising the attack surface in your environment. A significant benefit of IT hygiene is that it creates organisational transparency. Through this perspective, you can drill down and clean your environment proactively and gain a 360-degree view of the entire environment. When you achieve this level of transparency in your organisation, you will tremendously reap IT hygiene’s benefits.
Make sure your operating system and programs are up-to-date
Malware can be prevented by regularly updating programs and operating systems. As you perform updates, make sure you benefit from the latest security patches that have been released. As a result, cybercriminals will have a more challenging time exploiting vulnerabilities in your programs, which will help protect you.
Backups that are Ransomware-proof
A ransomware attack has become a popular way for attackers to monetize their attacks in recent years, and malware developers have developed skills that allow them to prevent victims and security researchers from accessing data without paying a ransom. Moreover, it is imperative that when constructing a ransomware-proof backup infrastructure, it is essential to remember that cybercriminals have previously targeted online backups before deploying ransomware.
Prepare and test an incident response plan: Occasionally, organisations become aware that they are being targeted by threat actors within their environment; in these instances, they need the visibility to deal with the problem or the right intelligence to comprehend the nature of the situation they are facing. Responding quickly and effectively to a threat can distinguish minor incidents from major ones.
Endpoint security
Configure your systems for security. Secure configuration settings can limit your organisation’s threat surface and close security gaps left over from default configurations. Ensure that all your network endpoints are protected by endpoint security products and endpoint detection and protection (EDP). Endpoint security platforms must be equipped with strict anti-tampering protections when and if sensors have gone offline or have been uninstalled from their primary location.
Get in touch with an expert
To avoid a major incident, you should involve experts as soon as you suspect that ransomware may affect your organisation. Occasionally, organisations become aware of the activities of cyber threats within their environment, but they may need more visibility or the inability to gather the proper intelligence to identify the threat and learn how to deal with it. When you learn about the latest threats and engage a security team or retainer, such as those offered by AdataTribe Services, you may be able to detect the threat before it can deploy ransomware or exfiltrate data or deploy ransomware.
If you become a victim of ransomware, it is crucial to take immediate action to remove it and restore access to your files. Here are some steps to take:
- Disconnect: Disconnect your computer or device from the internet to prevent further spread of the malware.
- Remove: Use anti-virus or anti-malware software to remove the ransomware from your system.
- Restore: Restore your system from a recent backup. If you do not have a backup, you may need to seek professional help to recover your files.
- Report: Report the attack to law enforcement or a cybersecurity professional to help prevent future attacks and catch the attackers.
It might be prudent to seek professional assistance before the time comes when you need it the most. Using a technical assessment, you can identify and understand factors about your organisation’s network and protect your company against ransomware attacks.
Ransomware is a significant cybersecurity threat that can cause significant damage to individuals and organisations. Defending against it requires a multi-layered approach that includes education, software, and policy measures. If you become a victim of ransomware, taking immediate action to remove it and restore access to your files is essential. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can better defend against ransomware and mitigate its impact if you become a victim.