How to Avoid Becoming A Victim Of Ransomware Attacks?

By Neha Singh

There is no doubt in stating that ransomware attack is here to stay. It is next to Command-and-Control attacks in terms of frequency. It has been seen that most ransomware attacks are delivered through email platforms. We must learn and stop getting trapped under phishing links. 

It’s high time we stop reacting to foolish emails that can cause a whole lot of damage to you and your company as well. 

The question is, how?

The answer is that we can’t. The phishing attacks are designed in such a way that humans fall prey to it. With every passing day, these attacks are becoming quite proficient. They look normal and are targeted quite smartly. It is time that we take care of the ransomware attack by managing it smartly. If you are thinking about how you have certainly landed on the right page. 

We are here to help you with a unique methodology that can let you tackle ransomware attacks while at work. Before getting started with the same, let’s first understand what it is first. 

What Is Ransomware?

It is surprising that many of us still do not know what ransomware attack is after it is happening so regularly these days. The threat is real, and it is important to be aware of what it is.

When it comes to ransomware, it is basically a type of malware. The ransomware attack encrypts the data available in your system so that you cannot access the same. This is when you might see a message on your screen asking you to pay a ransom amount to access the data again. This is what happened in most of the cases where the data gets stolen or kidnapped, and you need to pay the required amount for getting back your data. 

This is why you must train your employees regarding all types of attacks so that they can act on their system accordingly. Clicking on phishing links can certainly make your business pay for it big time. 

Ransomware Attack Anatomy

The phase when you are attacked by ransomware is acknowledged as a multi-stage attack. The basics of the attack are always the same despite the package being different. The ransomware tries to get into your IT infrastructure and capture as much data as possible and then ask for the payment. 

To help you. Below mentioned is the step-by-step process of how ransomware attack might work:

1. The first step is getting access. The ransomware is looking for a gap from where it can get in the system. This generally begins with a phishing email that comes with a malicious attachment. It is mailed randomly to a user so that they can click on the attachment. This is when the ransomware begins its work and infects the machine. As and when it gets inside the machine, it tries to encrypt all the information and spread it to the entire infrastructure. 
2. The next step is when ransomware lets the attackers know that they have successfully captured the machine, and now they can download the keys to get access to the encrypted data. 
3. The third step is more of data exfiltration and encryption. As and when they get a cryptographic key, they begin with data encryption. It starts with the local disk first, and then they start attacking the network drives as well. They first exfiltrate the data and then move to the encryption part to demand additional ransom or to get it sold on the black market online.
4. As and when they are done with the encryption, a message is displayed in the machine regarding the ransom amount. It lets the users know about their data encryption, and they need to pay the given amount to get complete access to the data again. 
5. Lastly, as and when the user makes the payment, the attackers then send the key of decryption with the steps to get it done.

So, these are the basic steps followed by ransomware attackers. It is important that you prepare your system and employees in such a way that you never have to experience the same. If you are thinking about how to avoid being a victim, jump to the next segment. 

Steps To Avoid Falling Victim

Fortunately, there are ways with which you can avoid falling victim to these fraudsters. Below mentioned are a few of the solid tips that can assist you in defending yourself from ransomware attacks. Check it out:

Do Not Click On The Strange Attachments And Links

The first and the most important step to save yourself from this attack is to avoid clicking on the links and attachments that are no verified or appear to be spam. You must make your employees train of the same so that there is no such experience to be faced in the future. It needs to be done regularly so that the employees are well aware of the consequences they might have to face. 

Get In Endpoint and Email Protection Software

You never know when one employee can make the mistake of clicking on suspicious links, and you might have to suffer because of the same. You can avoid this situation as well by getting browser isolation software installed. There are many software available to assist you with Endpoint and Email protection so that even the mistakes don’t cost you a lot. This software isolates the links from the local machine and infrastructure that keeps your business safe and secure. 

You can also consider investing in software that can alert the users regarding the virus and malware in a particular email. This makes them beware and cautious of emails that can cause harm to their system. 

Data Backup

Another easy and most critical step of all is to invest in the data backup process. You must make sure that your data is backed regularly so that even if there is any kind of attack, you recover the data as and when needed. Make sure that the data is backed up at an isolated center so that it is not affected by the attack.

Wrap Up

These are a few of the steps that assist you in remaining away from the ransomware attack. Being alert and skeptical can always assist you in the process to avoid being attacked. This reflects that we need to be a step ahead of attackers and keep no gap open to let them enter our arena.

Neha Singh is the Founder & CEO of Securium Solutions with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry.

She is skilled in ECSA, Vulnerability Management, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Management, and Business Development. She loves traveling and trekking.