What is Ransomware & How to Protect Your Business

Are you a business owner, in charge of IT, or look after data protection? It’s essential to understand what ransomware means and how you can ensure you can recover virtually unscathed if you find yourself a target.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is malware designed to deny access to files on computers, which can include data theft. As a result of encrypting these files and demanding a ransom payment for the decryption key, cyber attackers make paying the ransom seem like the easiest way for businesses to regain access. But do not, no matter how tempted you may be! Paying a ransom doesn’t necessarily guarantee regained access and could further encourage criminal activity. Cybersecurity incidents can be reported to the NCSC. We also encourage reporting to Action Fraud.

5 Ransomware Prevention Best Practices:

1. Educate your team:
   Employees can help stop malware from infiltrating your system. As well as implementing cyber security solutions, tell your employees the warning signs to look out for (like suspicious emails) and what safe practices and responses help prevent these threats.
2. Use admin accounts:
   To limit your network’s exposure to malware, restrict who can install and run software applications; this can be senior management or your IT department.
3. Employ a data backup and recovery plan:
   In order to minimise the impact of potential malware threats, backups are essential. At InReach, we have a tier 4 data centre to securely store data and quickly get your systems back up and running with minimal disruption in the event of a ransomware attack.
4. Make sure all business devices are updated:
   Set your anti-virus and anti-malware solution to automatically update and run regular scans so your operating systems run smoothly.
5. Install a security solution that protects against ransomware:
   Along with regular updates and server backups, businesses should invest in a cybersecurity solution that includes ransomware protection. The effectiveness of ransomware depends on its ability to compromise your data.

How can InReach help with Ransomware Protection?

Ransomware is a huge risk to businesses of all sizes. What can companies do today to take a step toward ransomware protection? Start by checking all your business devices to ensure their software is up to date. Next, contact the team at InReach. We offer a range of cyber security solutions to protect your business. We can also complete penetration testing on your primary communications to ensure hackers do not have a way in. Speak to us today, and we will find what best fits your organisation.

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