• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cyber Security Solutions, Compliance, and Consulting Services - IT Security

We offer It security management, data, network, & Information security services for protecting information & mitigating security risks to your organization.

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Solutions & Services
    • Security Governance
    • NETWORK SECURITY
    • CLOUD SECURITY
  • COMPLIANCE
  • SECTORS
  • Blog
  • CONTACT

What is Ransomware and How to Prevent It

Avatar

By infoguard | At July 20, 2017

July 20, 2017

What is Ransomware and How to Prevent It

Ransomware is The Biggest Cyber Security Threat

Imagine you mistakenly click on a link in a spam email or active macros in a malicious file. Within seconds, your system’s data will be encrypted. Nightmare?

Yes, that can happen. Your data has been hijacked. The hackers will then flash a message on your screen, asking for thousands of dollars as ransom to restore your access to your data. You will get a deadline to pay.

Unless you have a backup of your files, you may end up paying tens of thousands of dollars to get the key to decrypt your data. Whether you will get back your data after paying the ransom is even not guaranteed.

What Actually is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a billion dollar cyber crime industry. It affects both individuals and organizations, including businesses of all sizes. Hackers use a complex malware to block your access to your critical data on your PC, mobile device, or any other digital system. They demand money to provide you a key that you can use to regain access to your data.

Here is the story of a woman who fell victim to cyber ransomware.

What Do the Stats Say?

According to the FBI, ransomware victims paid out $209 million in the first quarter of 2016. That amount was $25 million for the all of 2015. There has been 4000 percent increase in the rate of cyber ransomware within one year. Shocked?

According to the Kaspersky Lab, every 1 in 5 business across the world has fallen victim to ransomware. And 70 percent of the enterprise ransomware victims paid up to regain access to their data.

Imagine the loss of business resulting from the downtime in the aftermath of a ransomware attack. According to a survey reported by Yahoo Finance, 11 percent of the enterprises that fell victim to ransomware said it took them more than a week to get back access to their data after the attack.

In 35 percent cases, ransomware had affected cloud storage, especially Dropbox, Office365, Google Apps, and salesforce. Thirty-eight percent of the enterprise victims were from the service sector, followed by 17 percent from the manufacturing sector.

Are There Different Types of Ransomware?

Yes. There are various types of cyber ransomware. Security experts have identified more than 100 types of ransomware so far. The common ones include encryption ransomware, lock screen ransomware, master boot record ransomware, ransomware encrypting web servers, and mobile device ransomware.

What Are The Causes?

 The primary cause of the rise in cyber ransomware is the tendency of people to fall for spam or phishing. Most organizations fail to educate their employees about ransomware. They disregard the importance of training their workforce in identifying malicious links in spam emails.

Also, there are many employees who access malicious websites or get tricked into clicking on malicious links. It has been found out that there is at least one employee in all organizations who will click on anything.

Most enterprise victims of ransomware were not prepared for the attack. They had no tools in place to monitor system usage, identify malicious links and codes, prevent ransomware, and execute ransomware recovery.

How to Prevent Ransomware?

In order to prevent cyber ransomware, you must be fully prepared and have the right tools to identify and thwart any attempt to hijack your data and systems. Education, awareness, and training of your employees is yet another critical element in protecting your systems from ransomware.

If you have robust and reliable cyber security strategies and standards, you are less likely to become a victim of cyber ransomware.

In order to prevent ransomware in your organization, be sure to:

  • Carry out cyber security assessments from time to time
  • Segregate your data on the basis of roles and needs
  • Perform system hardening
  • Have intrusion detecting systems in place
  • Use versioning control or read-only partitions
  • Use File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) to monitor file activity
  • Keep eye on honeypot files
  • Backup backup backup – on cloud and offline
  • Use reliable antivirus software
  • Educate and train your employees – Never open emails or notifications from people/sources you don’t know
  • Keep all of your software updated
  • Enable the ‘Show File Extensions’ option in the Windows settings
  • Disconnect your system immediately if you suspect or identify a rogue activity or process in progress

Remember, cyber criminals are always busy honing their methods. They use new and sophisticated tools. They can go to any extent to rip you off your money. In order to fully protect your organization from cyber ransomware, you should use the services of a trusted and reliable cyber security consulting company.

Filed Under: Cyber security threats, General, Ransomware

Primary Sidebar

Archives

  • [+]Cloud security (9)
  • [+]Compliance (16)
  • [+]Cyber security news (71)
  • [—]Cyber security threats (154)
    • 03 cyber threats expected to grow in 2020
    • 03 dangerous security assumptions to avoid
    • 04 top cloud security threats
    • 05 common social engineering tactics
    • 05 most common ways criminals scam you through social engineering
    • 05 signs that show you have been hacked
    • 05 ways malware can bypass endpoint protection
    • 06 ways to protect yourself against cybercrime
    • 07 benefits of cybersecurity awareness training
    • 09 Cybersecurity Threats to Watch Out For in 2019
    • 3 Huge Cyberattacks Show the True Extent of Cyber Crime
    • 3 Reasons Why Cybersecurity is More Important Than Ever
    • 3 ways to kick-start your organization's cybersecurity training
    • 3 ways to protect your business from ransomware attacks
    • 4 Cybersecurity trends in 2019
    • 4 Reasons why website security is important
    • 4 ways to build a strong security culture
    • 4 Ways to Effectively Protect Your Organization Against Data Breaches
    • 5 Cyber Security Tips Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know
    • 5 Cybersecurity Measures Every Small Business Should Take This Year
    • 5 hard truths every CISO should know
    • 5 Industries That Top the Hit List of Cyber Criminals in 2017
    • 5 Methods to Make Customer Experience Safer
    • 5 Misconceptions About Cyber-Security
    • 5 myths CEOs believe about cybersecurity
    • 5 Steps to Prevent Cybersecurity Threats in Supply Chain
    • 5 Tips for Kickstarting Your Cyber Security Program
    • 5 ways to control cybersecurity burnout
    • 6 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
    • 95% of websites risk operating on outdated software with known vulnerabilities
    • All About Data Repository
    • All about ransomware
    • All about social engineering
    • Are all Bluetooth security device secure?
    • Attacker’s phish Office 365 users with fake voicemail messages
    • Can Smart Cities be Hacked?
    • Changing Trends in Cybersecurity Training
    • Common types of cyber scams and how to avoid them
    • Common types of cybersecurity threats
    • Common Types of Phishing Attacks
    • Credential Stuffing: The Newest Cybersecurity Threat
    • Cyber Crime is a Threat to the Energy Sector; Here’s Why
    • Cybercrime during COVID-19: 5 things every CISO needs to know
    • Cybercrime economy is worth $1.5 trillion in illegal profits: study
    • Cybercriminals are Capitalizing on Covid Vaccines to Launch Attacks
    • Cybercriminals are Resorting to Automated Attack Tools
    • Cybercriminals: Threat or Menace?
    • Cybercrooks increasingly targeting smart home devices
    • Cybersecurity and how to protect a company
    • Cybersecurity challenges for small businesses
    • Cybersecurity in the Aviation Industry
    • Cybersecurity: Guiding Principles for Board of Directors
    • Developing Cybersecurity in Medical Devices
    • Developing Cybersecurity in Medical Devices
    • Did COVID-19 Pandemic Increase Cybersecurity Threats?
    • Elements of cybersecurity
    • Emerging cybersecurity threats to businesses
    • Everything You Need to Know About Brute Force Attacks
    • Five social engineering tricks and tactics employees still fall for
    • Four biggest healthcare security threats for 2020
    • Four questions to answer before paying a ransomware demand
    • Four significant changes coming to cybersecurity in 2020 and beyond
    • Hackers are outpacing defenses, a new report finds
    • Hackers are using famous file sharing services to hack email accounts
    • History of Cybersecurity and Hacking
    • Hospitals are becoming smarter than ever. But so are cybercriminals
    • How Can a Cyber Security Service Help Secure Your Organization
    • How Cybersecurity Makes Journalism Safer
    • How do I protect myself from ransomware?
    • How does spyware work?
    • How much does it cost to launch a cyberattack?
    • How New Technologies Affect Cyber Security
    • How Safe are Smart Homes?
    • How Security Updates Can Save You From Targeted Cyber Attacks
    • How to Alleviate Third Party Cyber Security Risks
    • How to Check if Your Data Was Leaked in Facebook's Huge Hack
    • How to detect and prevent crypto mining malware
    • How to Find the Best Cyber Security Consulting Company
    • How To Identify Hoax Emails
    • How to Implement a Robust Vendor Risk Management Framework
    • How to Make an Incident Response Plan
    • How to prevent, detect and defend against Credential stuffing
    • How to Protect Your Business Against Ransomware in 2021
    • How to secure server-less apps
    • How To Secure Your Systems With Anti-Malware and Host Intrusion Prevention
    • Importance of Cybersecurity In Wake of the Rising Challenges
    • Important building blocks of a robust cybersecurity and common cyber threats
    • Important Steps Board of Directors Should Take to Reduce Cybersecurity Risks
    • Information Security Governance Best Practices
    • IoT – The New Soft Spot for Attackers
    • Is Quantum Internet Impervious to Cyber Breaches?
    • Is Your Small Business Safe From Cyber Attacks?
    • LinkedIn Scams: Still the Most Popular Form of Phishing
    • Malware - The Lingering Cybersecurity Threat
    • Malware and ways of detecting them
    • Newsletter: Law Firms and Cyber Ransom
    • North Korea has been targeting threat researchers
    • One in three organizations suffered data breaches due to mobile devices
    • Penetration Testing and Its Advantages
    • Petya ransomware and NotPetya malware
    • Predictions for the Cybersecurity Landscape of 2018
    • Predictions of Future Cybersecurity Trends in 2020 and Onwards
    • Protect backup from ransomware attacks and recover safely
    • Reasons Why Cloud Security is Critical to Your Organization
    • Reasons Why Law Firms Need Foolproof Cyber Security
    • Retail Industry Faces a Challenging Cyber Threat Landscape
    • School Re-Openings Disturbed by Ransomware Attacks
    • Security Best Practices for Collaboration Platforms
    • Smishing and vishing: How these cyber attacks work and how to prevent them
    • Steps for building an effective incident response plan
    • Steps to securely shutting down business units
    • System Hardening and Cyber Security
    • The 4 biggest ransomware attacks of the last five years
    • The 5 Most Dangerous Types of Malware to Be Cautious of in 2020
    • The 5 types of cyber-attack you're likely to face in 2020
    • The 6 Biggest Cyberattacks of 2020
    • The 8 Best Cybersecurity Strategies for Small Businesses in 2021
    • The common types of cyber attacks
    • The Importance of Cyber Resilience in Cyber Security
    • The Increasing Risk of Ransomware Attacks
    • The Post-COVID Situation for Small Business Cybersecurity
    • The Risk of Insider Threat to Financial Services Organizations
    • The shortcomings of centralized server architecture
    • The three pillars of cybersecurity
    • The Top Cyber Security Threats Law Firms Will Face in 2019
    • Three signs you're socially engineered
    • Three ways to protect your supply chain from Cyber-Attack
    • Tips to optimize your VPN security
    • To Outsource or Not to Outsource Cyber Security
    • Top 3 Criminal Methods of Using Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Attacks
    • Top 3 Methods Cyber Criminals Are Using Artificial Intelligence
    • Top Cybersecurity Myths Busted
    • Two in three businesses faced insider attacks in 2020
    • Vishing, its Techniques and How to Prevent it
    • What Is a Backdoor Attack?
    • What is Botnet and how to prevent Botnet attack
    • What is Malware and Types of Malware?
    • What is Ransomware and How to Prevent It
    • What is scam and types of scam?
    • What is SIEM software? How it works and how to choose the right tool?
    • What is Smishing and How to Avoid it
    • What is spyware and its types?
    • What is the incident response? 05 steps for building a robust IR plan
    • What is Typosquatting and How to Stay Safe
    • What is WireGuard? Secure, simple VPN still in development
    • Which Industries at Higher Risk of Cyber Attacks in 2021
    • Who is a target for ransomware attacks?
    • Why 2021 Could Witness an Outbreak of Ransomware Attacks
    • Why Cybersecurity Has to Be a CEO Level Matter
    • Why Cybersecurity is the Answer for the Sharing Economy?
    • Why Is Cyber-Security So Important to the Healthcare Industry
    • Why You Should be Concerned About How Phishing Attacks are Evolving
    • World’s largest data breaches
    • Worms – The New Cyber Security Threat
  • [+]Cyber security tips (158)
  • [+]E-Commerce cyber security (3)
  • [+]Enterprise cyber security (3)
  • [+]Financial organizations cyber security (2)
  • [—]General (30)
    • 5 Industries That Top the Hit List of Cyber Criminals in 2017
    • 5 Misconceptions About Cyber-Security
    • Change Control Management and Information and Event Monitoring in Cyber Security
    • Common Types of Phishing Attacks
    • Ethical Hacking as Explained by White Hat Hackers
    • HIPAA Compliance for Businesses: The Three Crucial Aspects
    • How New Technologies Affect Cyber Security
    • How Security Updates Can Save You From Targeted Cyber Attacks
    • How to Alleviate Third Party Cyber Security Risks
    • How to Enhance Data Security With Encryption, Discovery, and Classification
    • How to Find the Best Cyber Security Consulting Company
    • How to Make an Incident Response Plan
    • How To Use DLP and FIP for Enhanced Data Protection
    • Identity and Access Management and Its Importance for Organizations
    • Newsletter: Law Firms and Cyber Ransom
    • Predictions for the Cybersecurity Landscape of 2018
    • Reasons Why Cloud Security is Critical to Your Organization
    • Reasons Why Data Safety Should be at the Core of Cloud Security
    • Reasons Why Law Firms Need Foolproof Cyber Security
    • Reliable Ways to Enhance Your System Security
    • SOC 2 or SOC for Cybersecurity? Which Report Do You Need?
    • The Top 5 Cyber Security Breaches of 2017
    • Things to Look for to Choose the Best Cybersecurity Service for Your Business
    • Tips to optimize your VPN security
    • Top Cybersecurity Myths Busted
    • Two Critical Components of Security Operations
    • What Is a Data Breach?
    • What is Ransomware and How to Prevent It
    • Why Cybersecurity Has to Be a CEO Level Matter
    • Why Should You Implement 3rd Party Vendor Assessment Program in Your Organization
  • [+]Government cyber security (2)
  • [+]Healthcare cyber security (2)
  • [+]Law Firms Cyber Security (1)
  • [+]Network security (3)
  • [+]Newsletter (1)
  • [—]Ransomware (4)
    • Cybercrime during COVID-19: 5 things every CISO needs to know
    • How To Secure Your Systems With Anti-Malware and Host Intrusion Prevention
    • Ransomware Against Businesses is on the Rise Amid COVID-19
    • What is Ransomware and How to Prevent It
  • [+]Risk assessment and management (3)
  • [+]Security management and governance (7)
  • [+]System security (3)
  • [+]Uncategorized (15)
  • [+]Vendor security (4)

Footer

Infoguard Cyber Security

San Jose Office
333 W. Santa Clara Street
Suite 920
San Jose, CA 95113
Ph: (833) 899-8686

Irvine Office
19800 MacArthur Blvd.
Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612

Recent Posts

  • How to Check if Your Data Was Leaked in Facebook’s Huge Hack
  • 5 Steps to Prevent Cybersecurity Threats in Supply Chain
  • Why Do Cybercriminals Target Charities?

Get Social

  • LinkedIn
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Solutions & Services
  • COMPLIANCE
  • SECTORS
  • Blog
  • CONTACT

Copyright © 2021