As Baltimore is suffering from a ransomware attack since the past two weeks, security analysts are busy finding out ways in preventing ransomware attacks on public and private networks.
So, if you are a company CEO or CTO then Cybersecurity Insiders recommends you these proactive measures which can help prevent your company from ransomware attacks.
1.) Firstly following cyber hygiene will put a full stop to most of your troubles. Hygiene in the sense using a 2-factor authentication, backing up data on a regular note, using internal firewalls, regularly updating the passwords and educating your employees on the prevailing cyber threats while accessing remote networks.
2.) Also as phishing emails bring in most of the ransomware troubles avoid opening attachments or clicking on malicious links. And to do so, you must first be able to identify such emails. So, emails subject-lines with misspelled words, strange word choices, odd links, unusual attachments especially a zip file or .exe file must be totally avoided.
3.) Make sure that your PC is having an updated software- both at the Operating system level and at the anti-malware solution note. Also occasionally hackers try to find vulnerabilities within software such as MS word, adobe reader or at the OS level. Though many of these vendors patch the vulnerabilities from time to time, it is up to the user to update them as well.
4.) Lastly, if at all your network or device gets infected with malware do not pay the ransom as it encourages the crime to propel and moreover there is no guaranty that the ransom paid will help regain the access to files.
Note- Ransomware is a data encrypting malware which has turned into a lucrative earning stream to hackers these days. UK NHS, Baltimore, Atlanta, Newark, Sarasota have all been hit by the said malware.
