Ransomware is a form of malicious software that can infect a computer and take valuable data or personally identifiable information (PII) hostage until a ransom is paid. This type of malware is highly advanced and uses binary encryption keys to restrict access to data, forcing victims to pay a fee to retrieve their information. Ransomware attacks can be especially devastating for businesses, hospitals, schools, and other organizations that depend on this data to operate. Failure to pay the ransom can result in the permanent loss or exposure of confidential information.
There are several common ways that people can fall victim to ransomware, including opening phishing emails, visiting compromised websites (also known as drive-by downloading), downloading infected file extensions or malicious attachments, exploiting system and network vulnerabilities, and utilizing remote desktop protocol (RDP) attacks.
Ransomware attacks are a threat to all types of users, ranging from individuals to large corporations. This form of malware can not only lock individual files such as documents or images but also entire databases, leading to significant data breaches or exposure of sensitive, personal information.
There are four primary categories of ransomware:
Encryption: This is the most common type of ransomware that encrypts data, rendering it impossible to unlock without a decryption key.
Lockers: Lockers restrict the use of the computer, preventing users from accessing basic functions until the ransom is paid.
Scareware: Scareware aims to intimidate users into purchasing unnecessary software. Pop-ups may flood the screen, prompting the user to pay to remove them.
Doxware/Leakware: Doxware or leakware threatens to leak personal or company information unless the ransom is paid.
Top 10 Practices for Preventing Ransomware Attacks
Fortunately, there are numerous measures you can take to shield yourself from ransomware attacks. Given the ever-changing nature of technology, it's essential to adhere to fundamental cybersecurity practices and stay proactive, ensuring that you never expose yourself or your organization to any ransomware risks.
Back up Your Data One of the simplest risk mitigation strategies is to back up your data to an external hard drive and 180Vault cloud server. If a ransomware attack occurs, the user can erase the computer and reinstall the backup files. Ideally, organizations should back up their most critical data at least once a day.
The 3-2-1 rule is a popular guideline to follow. Aim to keep three separate copies of your data on two different storage types, with one copy stored offline. You may also add another step to the process by storing one additional copy on an immutable (cannot be altered) and indelible (cannot be deleted) cloud storage server.
2. Ensure that all your systems and software are kept up-to-date. This includes your operating system, web browser, antivirus, and any other programs you use. New variants of malware, viruses, and ransomware are constantly emerging, which can bypass your outdated security features. Therefore, it is crucial to apply the latest patches and upgrades. Large corporations are often targeted by attackers who exploit outdated legacy systems that have not been updated for an extended period. One of the most notorious ransomware attacks occurred in 2017, when the WannaCry malware infected major corporations worldwide. The attack caused NHS hospitals in Great Britain, Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, and Apple chip supplier Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to shut down operations for four days. In total, more than 230,000 computers across the globe were affected. The WannaCry ransomware specifically targeted computers running outdated versions of Microsoft Windows. Although a patch had been recently released to prevent the malware's spread, many users and organizations were slow to update, leading to their victimization. Since this incident, security experts have emphasized the importance of updating systems as soon as possible.
3. To safeguard against ransomware, it is crucial to install comprehensive antivirus and anti-malware software. These tools can detect, scan, and respond to cyber threats effectively. However, configuring your firewall is equally essential as antivirus software only provides internal protection and can only identify threats once they have entered the system. Firewalls serve as the first line of defense against external attacks, whether software or hardware-based. They play a vital role in any private or business network by filtering and blocking suspicious data packets from entering the system. It is important to note that fake virus detection alerts are prevalent and often mimic legitimate antivirus software. These false alerts usually arrive via emails or website pop-ups. As a precaution, refrain from clicking any links until verifying them directly through the antivirus software.
4. To contain the spread of ransomware during an attack, network segmentation is a crucial strategy. This approach involves dividing the network into several smaller subnetworks to isolate the ransomware and prevent it from spreading to other systems. Each subsystem should have its security controls, firewalls, and unique access to limit the ransomware's ability to reach target data. Network segmentation not only prevents the spread of ransomware to the primary network but also provides the security team with more time to identify, isolate, and eliminate the threat.
5. Email Protection. phishing attacks have been the primary cause of malware infections historically. In 2020, 54% of managed service providers (MSPs) identified phishing as the top ransomware delivery method. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), phishing scams were also the most significant cybercrime in 2020, resulting in over $4.2 billion in loss or theft. Ransomware can infiltrate a user's system via email in several ways, including downloading suspicious email attachments, clicking on links that lead to infected websites, and social engineering. Apart from using antivirus software, additional precautions can be taken to prevent ransomware attacks via email. These include avoiding opening emails, attachments, files, or links from unknown or unauthorized sources, keeping email client apps up-to-date to prevent cybercriminals from exploiting security vulnerabilities in outdated technology. Other protective practices or technologies include Sender Policy Framework (SPF), an email authentication technique to specify outgoing message servers, DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), which provides an encryption key and digital signature to verify email authenticity, and Domain Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance (DMARC), which further authenticates emails by matching SPF and DKIM protocols.
6. Application whitelisting is a security strategy that restricts which applications can be downloaded and executed on a network. It allows only authorized programs and websites to run, blocking any unauthorized or untrusted applications that could potentially harm the network. In case an employee or user unintentionally downloads an infected program or visits a corrupted site, the whitelisting mechanism restricts or blocks access to it. Windows AppLocker is an example of a whitelisting software that can be used to specify the programs that are allowed to run on a system. Additionally, it can also be used to blacklist or block specific programs and websites that pose a threat to the network.
7. Endpoint security is crucial for businesses of all sizes, particularly as they expand and the number of endpoints increases. Each endpoint, including laptops, smartphones, servers, and other devices, creates an opportunity for cybercriminals to gain access to sensitive information or even the main network. Therefore, it's important to prioritize endpoint protection platforms (EPP) or endpoint detection and response (EDR) for all network users, whether you're running a business from home or working in a larger company. EPPs and EDRs come equipped with a suite of protection tools, including antivirus and anti-malware software, data encryption, data loss prevention, intrusion detection, web browser security, and mobile and desktop security. They also offer network assessments for security teams and real-time security alerts and notifications. EDR is a more advanced technology that focuses on responding to and countering immediate threats that have infiltrated the network. With these technologies, system administrators can monitor and manage security for each remote device to prevent any potential cybersecurity breaches.
8. To protect your network and systems, it's important to limit user access and permissions to only the data they need to work. This principle of "least privilege" restricts who can access crucial data and prevents ransomware from spreading throughout a company's systems. Access may be granted, but users may have limited functionality or resources based on a role-based access control (RBAC) policy. A zero-trust model is typically employed with least privilege, which assumes that internal or external users cannot be trusted and requires identity verification at every level of access. Verification often involves two-factor (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) to prevent unauthorized access to target data in the event of a breach.
9. Regular security testing is an essential practice to ensure the continued protection of your network and systems. As ransomware attacks become more sophisticated, it's crucial to run regular cybersecurity tests and assessments to keep up with evolving threats. This includes:
Reviewing and reevaluating user privileges and access points
Identifying new system vulnerabilities
Creating new security protocols
One common strategy for testing security measures is sandbox testing. This involves running malicious code in an isolated environment to see how it interacts with current software and to determine if existing security protocols are sufficient. Regular security testing helps companies stay ahead of emerging threats and implement effective security measures.
10. Security awareness training is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity for any organization. End-users and employees are often the first line of defense against cyber attacks, and their lack of knowledge can leave the entire organization vulnerable. Phishing and social engineering tactics are some of the most common methods used by attackers to exploit users' ignorance and gain access to sensitive data.
To prevent such attacks, companies should provide basic security training to their employees. This includes safe web surfing practices, creating strong and secure passwords, using secure VPNs instead of public Wi-Fi, recognizing suspicious emails or attachments, maintaining up-to-date systems and software, confidentiality training, and providing an emergency reporting channel for suspicious activity.
Another important aspect of security awareness training is teaching employees how to identify potential attacks and respond to them. This includes learning how to detect and report suspicious activity, how to use encryption tools, and how to safely store and transfer sensitive data. By investing in security awareness training, companies can significantly reduce the risk of cyber attacks and ensure that their employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves and the organization.
What to do if you know someone who got hit by ransomware:
In spite of having various security measures in place, falling prey to ransomware is still a possibility. Hence, it's essential to have a plan in place on what to do immediately after being attacked and how to limit the damage. Organizations must establish emergency communication lines and response protocols in advance so that all users understand the necessary steps to take during an attack. Some immediate steps that should be taken are:
Do not pay the ransom: Law enforcement agencies and security experts strongly advise against paying the ransom, as it only encourages attackers to continue their criminal activities. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will provide a working decryption key, and even with a key, the data may become corrupted, resulting in permanent loss. While some free ransomware decryption tools are available for certain types of ransomware, it is still crucial to have a data backup.
Isolate infected systems: To prevent further breaches, users should immediately disconnect their device from the network and all wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). While the ransomware may have already affected other users, isolation can limit the scope of infection in the network.
Identify the source: Identifying where the malware originated from can help locate the entry point of the ransomware. This information can provide the organization with valuable insights to further improve security practices and training.
Report the attack to authorities: Ransomware is a crime that should be reported to authorities for further investigation. However, another benefit of reporting to law enforcement agencies is that they may have access to more advanced recovery tools and software not available to most organizations. In some cases, recovering stolen or compromised data and catching perpetrators is possible.
Good ransomware defense practice starts before any attacks occur. Waiting until ransomware attacks your network to take action may already be too late. From backing up your files to 180Vault, installing strong antivirus and firewalls to cybersecurity education, you'll want to stay ready for every possible scenario.
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