Protect your business by following these tips
If your business does anything with the Internet – even if it’s just sending out emails to your customers – you need to be aware of cyber threats. And one of the biggest right now is ransomware. Ransomware uses malicious software to block access to a computer or data on it. The only way to gain access is by paying a ransom to get the encryption key.
When this extortion method first came on the scene, it primarily affected individuals. However, the evil forces behind it are now starting to target businesses, perhaps in the hope of a larger pay day. Just recently, hospitals around the globe were hit by ransomware. So, what can you do to make sure you aren’t a victim?
Train your people
Unless you’re a solopreneur, you probably have employees working on computers often, and they can be your best asset when it comes to online threats. But they need to be educated in order to know what to look out for. Setting up training exercises to help them identify suspicious things can pay off big time.
Back up everything
If you have important data backed up, you won’t need to pay a ransom to get it. But in order to do this, you have to make sure you’re backing everything up regularly. In addition, the backups need to be kept in an offline location or on the cloud. You should also periodically check to see that your system is working and actually doing what it’s supposed to.
Have an email security solution in place
You should never open an email unless you’re sure it’s safe. Using a security solution that scans attachments or blocks certain file types before they get to you is a great way to make sure you’re protected.
Scan all downloads
Just like with emails, it’s crucial to make sure that anything you download won’t be problematic. You can do this by using a scanning solution that will prevent access to known malicious websites and scan or block different file types. Even if a dangerous email does get through and someone clicks a link in it, the scanning solution will block access to the site.
Keep things patched
Ransomware typically takes advantage of some sort of software vulnerability. This is why you need to be sure everything is regularly patched, including your operating systems, network devices, browsers, and anything else that could be compromised.
Disconnect immediately if you’ve been hit
If you find out you’ve got a ransomware infection, shut everything down right away and disconnect from the network, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. This will help prevent other machines from being infected.
Cyber threats are becoming more advanced every day, and it’s up to businesses to stay vigilant to fight them. One of the best ways to ensure that you have complete security is by transferring your data to the cloud. With a cloud-based system protected with proper encryption, you’ll have a lot less worry about ransomware affecting your business.
To learn more about cloud security, get in touch with CloudHesive. We’ll give you the support and guidance you need in order to make the right decisions for your business. Give us a call at 800-860-2040 or contact us through our online form.
