Have you ever encountered ransomware?
Despite a current drop, ransomware is still a serious threat and can cause damage to your system and vital data. That is why ransomware protection software is not just disinfecting your computers but also prevents them from replacing your files and folders.
Ransomware protection has become rapidly mandatory as cybersecurity risks increase. Because in any case, if you suffer from a successful ransomware attack, it can be challenging to remove it. However, there are tools available that will aim to help reverse a ransomware attack, but the best defense is to avoid being infected by ransomware in the first place.
Here in this blog, you will learn everything about the file-encrypting malware, how it works, and the best bullets to hunt it out before it hacks your system.
What is a Ransomware Attack?
Firstly what is ransomware? It is a type of malware in which an attacker locks and encrypts prey’s data and then demands a payment to unlock and decrypt the data.
Ransomware attacks exploit vulnerabilities in humans, systems, networks, and software to infect devices (computers, printers, smartphones, or other endpoints).
Ransomware is often necessitating and designed to spread across a network, target database, and file servers and quickly paralyze the entire organization. Once infecting the system, the ransom will ask to grant access and subsequently for payment to undo the loss. It’s a rapidly growing threat for billions and millions of dollars as payment to cybercriminals and inflicting significant damage and expenses. HELL NO!
So, how does this demonic malware operate? It’s wise to understand the working so that if the situation arises, we know how to deal with it?
How Does Ransomware Work?
After the device discloses the malicious code, the ransomware attack proceeds as follows. Ransomware can remain dormant until the tool is at its most vulnerable and only then executes an attack.
Ransomware seven-stage attack –
#Stage1 – Infection
Ransomware is covertly downloaded and installed on the device.
#Stage2- Execution
Ransomware outlines locations for targeted file types, including locally stored files and mapped and unmapped network-accessible systems. Some ransomware attacks also destroy or encrypt any backup files and folders.
#Stage3- Encryption
Ransomware offers a key exchange with the command and control server, utilizing the encryption key to scramble all files detected during the execution step.
#Stage4- User Notification
Ransomware unites instruction files describing the pay-for decryption process, then uses those files to display ransom notes to the user.
#Stage5- Clearing Up
Ransome usually clears up and terminates itself, leaving only the payment instruction file.
#Stage6- Payment
The victim often clicks the notification, which directs it to a web page with additional information on ransom payment.
#Stage7- Decryption
After the victim pays the ransom, the victim may receive the decryption key. However, there is no guarantee the decryption key will be released as warranted.
Breach Vulnerabilities – Are You a Potential Target of a Ransomware Attack?
Several factors might make you the target of a ransomware attack;
- No proper backup plan exists.
- The device has outdated software,
- The browser operating systems no longer patch.
Insufficient consideration paid for cybersecurity with a concrete plan is not in place. In case, if one or more of these points apply to your system implies you are at risk of falling victim to a ransomware attack.
EmpMonitor- Cloud-Based Storage Monitoring Software
EmpMonitor is a cloud-based employee monitoring software. All your data get saved in cloud storage. Besides the cloud storage, EmpMonitor is ready with other intelligent monitoring features, and all these features and specifications can help you prevent ransomware attacks to a great extent. How? Let us have a glimpse into it;
Top Website Used
Now you can track every URL visited during the operating time and the time spent at every single website. This data will not only let you examine what website is visited and also help you to trace which website should avoid.
Keystroke Logging
Keystroke logging features enable monitoring the keypunches of the employee. Also, get insights into keylogging up to 180 days.
Internet Activity Monitoring
Organizations often use firewalls and router logs to control and keep track of internet traffic from the employee computer. Advanced monitoring tools like EmpMonitor can intercept. Also scan all data over the network when including email communications, web browsing, and file transfer.
Desktop Monitoring
People usually think that antivirus software and malware protection are good enough to secure their data, but in reality, this is far from the case. By investing in employee monitoring software, you can monitor system activity and ultimately detect malware. This will prevent malware leaks in the first step.
How To Prevent Ransomware Attacks Brilliantly?
It can be under control with the help of the best antivirus software for protection against ransomware. Here are 05 tactics for how to prevent ransomware attacks brilliantly;
Backup your data- The best way to avoid the ransom threat of being locked out of your critical files is to ensure that you always have backup copies, preferably in the cloud.
Desktop monitoring with cloud storage like EmpMonitor protects your data and prevents you from worrying about deleting data or reinstalling files.
Never click on an unsafe link – Do not click on links on the internet that look like spam or unfamiliar websites. In any case, clicking on a malicious link will start an automatic download, which can lead to a computer infection.
Keep your programs and operating system up to date- Regularly updating the programs and operating systems help to protect you from malware. That ultimately makes it harder for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in your programs.
Avoid disclosing personal information- If you receive a call, text message, or email from an untrusted source requesting personal information, do not reply.
Never use unknown USB sticks– Never attach alien USB sticks or other storage media to your computer when you do not know where it is evolving. It is a possibility that cybercriminals may have infected the storage medium.
Why Is It Not Fitting To Fund The Ransom?
You might be wondering why you should not pay the ransom. But wait, there are several reasons why this can get into a bad idea.
There might be a chance that you will never get a decryption key-
When you pay the ransomware demand, you are supposed to get a decryption key in return. Many people and organizations have paid the ransom only to receive nothing in return. After investing tens or hundreds or thousands of dollars, and still have to rebuild the entire system from scratch.
You may be crafting a target on your back–
When you pay for the ransom, cybercriminals ultimately tend to know that you are a good investment which further attracts more ransom.
After ending up, you are still funding criminal activity-
Whether you are victims or trying to sort everything out, it is a fact that somehow you are funding criminal activities. When you pay for the ransom, receive a good decryptor key, and running is merely the best worst-case scenario.
03 Curative Measures For Ransomware Detection
Measure 01 – Always use real-time alerting and blocking to automate identifying ransomware-specific behavior and then block users and endpoints from further data access.
Measure 02- Use deception-based detection, which strategically plants hidden files on storage systems to identify ransomware encryption behaviors at the earliest attack stage.
Measure 03- Use granular reporting and analysis to provide detailed audit trail support for forensic investigations.
In reality, nearly 40% of the victims who pay a ransom never get their data back and 73% of those payments target again later- which is why everyone must protect against ransomware.
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Security is Crucial!
Apart from other forms of malware, important and careful actions are mandatory for ransomware protection. Creating backups on backups, data security, running regular updates and security tests will keep this hazardous malware attack at bay.
This blog contains some free ransomware protection tips, and you can also check out this multi-task software for managing your business working flow steadily. I hope you got all you were seeking and if not, drop the question in the comment section and would love to reply to it.
Again repeating my question, Have you ever encountered ransomware? And if the answer is YES! Let me know how you handle the situation and heal that scratch in the comment below.
