Protect From Ransomware: Know How to Defend Your Company?

Ransomware is now one of the main threats to computer security in companies and how to protect your organization against this danger is essential to ensure the safety of your data and information of its employees.

A successful attack with ransomware can completely paralyze a company's operations, so understanding the threat and knowing how to be prepared to face it is vital for all organizations, regardless of their size and area of ​​operation.

As its name indicates, the ransomware can make hostage the user or the company "kidnapping" or information systems and demanding payment as a ransom in exchange for the normalization of the situation.

The malware installed encrypts files so they can not be opened or completely prevents access to the system, information, or both.

Unlike other types of computer attacks, ransomware does not aim to destroy data or systems or even steal identities.

The objective is simple: to sell a decryption key to allow access to the system or files again, which is why, shortly after this blocking occurs, the attacker contacts the user or the company, promising to unlock access after the payment of a certain amount, often in bitcoins and quite high.

Since the first attack in 1989, ransomware has been growing. In a completely connected world, infection is getting simpler, an argument that, coupled with the strong potential for financial gains that ransomware proposes, makes this threat more popular today than ever in the business world and taking on ever more importance relevant in the cybersecurity landscape.

Types of ransomware and forms of infection

There are different types of ransomware, but they all present very real dangers to users and businesses. To know:

• - Crypto malware: extremely dangerous, the best example of this type of attack was the 2017 WannaCry infection. It encrypts files, preventing access to them.
• - Lockers: ransomware that can block the computer by infecting the operating system and preventing the user from accessing files or applications.
• - Doxware: also known as leak-ware, it threatens to publish stolen information if the user does not pay the "ransom". Would you like to see those personal files or sensitive company data published on public websites or forums?
• - Scareware: uses a fake software tool that masquerades as a cleaning utility or antivirus. Usually, it indicates that it has found problems with the computer and asks for money to solve them. It often floods the screen with alert messages.
• - RaaS: ransomware as a service is managed by hackers who handle all tasks related to the process, from the distribution of ransomware to the collection of payments.

The method of infection is interestingly still relatively little complex. Unlike virus infection, which requires the user to download a file, ransomware can infect a vulnerable computer without the user having to do anything.

Attackers use vulnerability scanning kits with specific code to infect machines connected to the network, usually without the latest security patches installed. Another form of infection is through popular phishing attacks, which cause recipients to click on a link or an attachment in an email. They have usually disguised emails that appear to originate from service providers that need confirmation of personal data, emails from banks, utility companies, or, for example, confirmation of Apple ID information.

How to prevent ransomware attacks

In the battle against ransomware, ensuring that it has no scope for success is the essential pillar of business strategies. The teams responsible for the computer park must be aware of the real threat posed by ransomware and respect some basic principles of computer security:

• - Updated systems and applications: operating system updates do not exist to disturb users. Many of these updates include crucial security patches to prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities with ransomware.
• - Backup copies: IT departments must implement a robust policy of periodic creation of full or incremental backups to ensure that even if the ransomware attack is successful, there are backups of data that are impossible to access without paying the ransom.
• - Security software: of course, the protection policies of the corporate network and terminals do not live without the proper choice of specialized security software such as total security and firewalls that prevent attacks and that, for example, immediately identify phishing emails. As with the operating system, these applications must always be up to date.
• - Common sense? Sure! The ransomware can be identified with a dose of common sense. Companies can and should instruct employees on the dangers of this real threat, explaining that they should never click on links of unknown or dubious origin, or that the sending of personal information on sites that do not have HTTPS. An email with simple modus operandi rules or training on the dangers of ransomware can save you a lot of headaches.

As in other areas of specialized services, also with regard to protection against ransomware, companies should look for partners with proven and able to combine technical knowledge with tools appropriate to the nature, size, and business of the company.

Protegent360 has specialized professionals who identify gaps and design and implement security solutions that cover the company's endpoints, perimeter, and internal network, ensuring the integrity of the most important business asset: information.