Ransomware is a sort of malware attack in which the attacker who is trying to implement an attack encrypts and locks the attacker’s data and important files, and afterward demands money to open and decrypt the data which has been attacked. 

This form of attack infects the victim’s device whether it’s a phone or computer, printer, smartphone, wearable, point-of-sale (POS) terminal, or other endpoint devices. 

There are thousands of difficulties that are faced because of ransomware malware. Let’s discuss. 

What are Ransomware Attacks? 

Ransomware is a sort of malicious software (malware) that threatens the victims to expose or limit access to their data or a computer system, generally done by encrypting it, and then the attacker demands a price to decrypt the data.

These days, ransomware assaults are very common. It has affected many big and popular corporations around the world. Cybercriminals will target any individual or a firm, to carry out their malicious acts. 

The ransom demand is frequently accompanied by a deadline. If the victim does not pay the ransom, he will have to pay the consequences, that is the data will be lost forever, or the ransom will be increased. So it is important to learn different ways in which these ransomware attacks can be countered and avoided.  

Top 8 ways to prevent ransomware attacks in 2022: 

When ransomware or encryption infects your computer, it encrypts your data or locks the data down. When ransomware finds its bait, a “digital hostage,” such as a file, it demands a ransom to release it. 

There are different ways to protect against a ransom attack. In this article, we will learn about them. 

Avoid sharing personal details: 

Do not respond if you receive a call, text message, or email from an unknown source that is demanding your personal information.

Cybercriminals who are launching a ransomware assault may try to gather your personal information ahead of time to affect you, which can then be used to threaten you more. If you have any doubts about the message’s authenticity, contact the sender directly which has sent you that message. 

Stay away from unauthorized emails: 

Ransomware can also infect your computer via email attachments. Any attachments that appear to you to be a  suspect should be avoided to be opened by the controller 8 of the device.

Pay great attention to the sender and double-check that the address is right to ensure that the email is trustworthy. You should never open attachments that require you to run something in order to view them. 

If the attachment is contaminated, opening it will activate a malicious malware that will allow the ransom attacker to take control of your machine. 

Use VPN: 

Using public Wi-Fi networks with caution is a good way to protect yourself from ransomware. Your PC is more exposed to assaults while it is connected to a public Wi-Fi network.

Avoid utilizing public Wi-Fi for some critical transactions or use a secure VPN service to stay safe. 

Threat intelligence sharing:

To effectively reduce unknown threats, organizations need real-time actionable intelligence, such as that provided by FortiGuard Labs.

To create a proactive defense, information must be communicated between the many security layers and products in your environment. Additionally, this information sharing should extend to the larger cybersecurity community outside of your organization, such as CERTs, ISACs, and industry alliances like the Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA). 

The only approach to respond rapidly to attacks and break the cyber death chain before it mutates or spreads to other systems or organizations is to share information quickly.

Zero Trust Implementation: 

You have to apply Zero Trust Implementation if you want to be safe from ransomware attacks. If you don’t know where the USB sticks or other storage media that you are using have originated from, don’t attach them to your computer.

It’s possible that cybercriminals contaminated the storage medium and left it in a public place. 

Configure anti-spam filters: 

While various cyber thieves and criminals can use something as simple as a Word document to begin ransomware assaults, the majority of them use less prevalent file types.

Setting your spam filters to identify files with extensions like.exe,.vbs, and.SCR will help you avoid ransomware assaults. 

Never download from unknown sources: 

Never download software or media files from unfamiliar sources which you don’t know to avoid being infected with ransomware. For downloads, stick to sites that have been confirmed and are reputable. 

The trust seals can be used to identify certain types of websites. Make sure the page you’re visiting uses “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP” in the URL bar of your browser.

In the URL bar, a shield or lock icon might also signify that the page is secure. When downloading anything to your mobile device, be cautious and alert. Depending on your device, you can trust the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. 

Download the latest updates: 

We should always look for the latest updates that devices are suggesting. Whether it’s your smartphone or PC, every device gets regular updates from the manufacturer. For instance, laptops are getting Windows 11 updates that offer far better security against ransomware when compared to Windows 10.

Not only a device software update, but we also recommend updating the latest version of your anti-virus. The latest updates come with immediate security against malware and many other updates that make your phone a safe place. Downloading these updates may help you to keep track of new technology and also be safe from various malware activities. 

Conclusion: 

Malware attacks are extremely common in the 20th century. But these attacks can be easily countered if someone’s advice can be followed with extreme concentration. 

People tend to ignore basic safety rules also and in this way they become victims of these malicious malware attacks. But don’t worry we have successfully compiled the 8 measures above for you to be informed.

Solutions like endpoint detection and response (EDR) alone are not enough to stop the spread of ransomware. Instead, it’s important to add different layers of protection to foundational best practices by removing local admin rights, implementing multi-factor authentication, enforcing least privilege controls and adding lifecycle management capabilities.