Ransomware Protection: How to Keep Your Data & Devices Safe

Ransomware Protection is a crucial necessity for anyone who uses a computer or mobile device.  

With ransomware attacks becoming ever more sophisticated and frequent, it’s crucial to protect your data from being encrypted by ransomware. In this day and age, everyone should be aware of the potential danger of ransomware and take measures to protect their devices and data.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects a device and holds the user’s data for ransom. Ransomware Protection is a type of software or service that helps to prevent, detect, and recover from ransomware attacks. It works by detecting any suspicious activities that could indicate a ransomware attack, such as changes to system files or unusual network traffic. Once detected, the ransomware protection software will either stop the attack from happening or limit the damage caused by isolating the infected system, preventing the ransomware from spreading to other devices. 

Taking a few preventative and proactive steps to secure your vital data against common ransomware attacks is critical.

Ransomware Protection Solutions

Preventing ransomware is the best security solution you can provide your business with. However, not only enterprises should be aware of these cyber threats. Even though hackers target businesses mostly, individuals are not free of the risk of having their data stolen. 

Make sure you follow our tips and keep your data and device secure.

Ransomware protection security suite

Today’s ransomware protection goes beyond the standard firewall. It must have a full suite, including anti-malware and virus protection software. 

Cyber attackers are continually evolving their software, searching for methods to enter your system undetected. 

Each layer of a ransomware security suite will attempt to catch the attack. If a new variation gets past the anti-malware, the additional level within a strong firewall can thwart the connection with the Command and Control (C&C) server to confirm the encryption file instructions.

Data backups to recover from ransomware

Backing up your data to an external drive is single-handedly the best method to prevent data loss due to ransomware. In the case of a ransomware attack, you will be able to restore your system.

Remember the 3-2-1 backup rule:

• 3 Copies of the data
• In 2 different mediums (cloud, external disk, tape, etc.)
• And at least 1 off-site

Keep in mind that you must protect your backups from ransomware as well.

Keep your security software updated

Cyber threat actors know that many people allow their security systems to function without timely updates. This allows system vulnerability for exploitation.

The easiest way to ensure software updates/patches is to enable automatic updates. If you have this protocol enabled, do not respond to any communication offering the ‘update’, as malware authors often send these notifications. Instead, go directly to the software website URL for additional updates.

Enable hidden file extensions

Ransomware has been successful due to its sneaky ability to hide damaging .exe files within seemingly harmless files such as PDFs. This ability is a loophole within the Windows environment as it allows hidden files. Check your Windows version for the instructions to see the full file extensions, and therefore be prepared when a dangerous attachment is sent.

To enable hidden files extension on Windows 8 and 10:

1. Open File Explorer
2. Click the View tab
3. Select “File name extension”
4. Optionally, you can enable Hidden items
5. Filename extensions will now be visible

To show the file extension on Windows 11, open File Explorer and go to View > Show >  File Name Extensions.

Protect AppData/LocalAppData folder files

Ransomware makes use of the AppData/LocalAppData folders to run the executable virus software. You do have the option of creating rules within Windows or through Intrusion Prevention Software to disable anything that tries to make use of the folders. If you have legitimate programs that make use of the folders, you can exclude them from the disable rules.

Add Security Patches to Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

RDP is used to allow remote access to your computer or network. Typically, this is for technical support or for viewing and sharing desktop information. It is also used in some of the more common conference software. Many firewalls have a denial ability already built in. If you do not require RDP, you can disable the ability. If you need it for your work, then create protection layers to prevent unauthorized access.

Cyber security services can help you build a secure RDP.

Use a Ransomware Prevention Kit Option

This is a technology that takes care of some security requirements such as disabling files running from the App Data and Local App Data folders and disallowing any .exe and .zip files. Once installed, you will need to continually check their site for updates.

Create strong passwords

Proven Data has encountered a surprisingly large number of ransomware recovery cases as a result of weak username and password combinations. Hackers have tools to scan and brute force weak passwords quite easily. We cannot stress the importance of creating strong passwords to avoid this. We recommend using a strong password generator and never repeating passwords.

What should you do if you have been affected by a ransomware attack?

If you find that you have had a ransomware attack, you have some limited options. Ransomware recovery and removal services can help to limit the damage.

You must prevent the ransomware from spreading across your business network. Also, remember that ransomware costs to your business go beyond the recovery, as the recovery time leads to prolonged downtime that prevents your business from keeping working.

1. Immediately disconnect the network

If you suspect a ransomware attack time is of the essence, as the encryption process is fast to complete the encryption process. Disconnect the infected machine from the network servers to prevent the malware from spreading. This is not a guarantee against encryption but will limit the damage.

2. Contact Authorities

You must report the ransomware to local authorities. Since cyberattacks are a crime, they must be investigated as such.

You should provide every detail about the attack you have to assist with the investigation. Creating a digital forensic report is the best way to do so.

3. Use Your System-Restore/Shadow Copies to Return to a Previous Condition

If you are using Windows and have the System Restore, you may be able to make use of this ability to return to a previous state.

It’s important to alert that many of the malware programs delete the files from the system restore. This means those critical files might not be available during the restore process. 

Keep in mind that most ransomware are programmed to delete shadow copies to prevent users from restoring the data. Also, they will exfiltrate your data before encrypting it and then threaten you to pay them so they don’t leak the data into the dark web.

4. Contact a ransomware removal service provider

After all that, you can hire a ransomware removal service to eliminate any trace of the ransomware and close backdoors hackers can use to do a new attack.

Contact Proven Data experts 24/7 for emergency ransomware recovery service.

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