Not long ago, ransomware was a problem only for large corporations. But now, cybercriminals are targeting consumers, too. The recent surge in cybersecurity scandals across the globe is alarming. For example, the ongoing Log4j vulnerability outbreak.
Yet, it’s a sad fact of life that we sometimes need to be reminded of the importance of cybersecurity. However, there’s no excuse not to take basic precautions when it comes to ransomware.
Avoid opening unknown messages.
Please do not open any messages that you do not recognize. You should also avoid clicking on links in messages and downloading attachments from messages. If an email looks suspicious, it’s best to simply delete it without opening it or attempting to contact the sender.
It’s also important to remember that phishing scams are often used by cybercriminals as a method of spreading ransomware. If you receive an email that asks for personal information such as a social security number or bank account details, don’t click on any links within the message. Even if the site looks legitimate when you click on it, there’s no guarantee that this isn’t how your computer has been infected with ransomware!
Don’t leave it up to a third party to protect you.
The best way to protect yourself against ransomware and other cyber threats is to be proactive. You have to take responsibility for your security by using common sense: don’t open suspicious emails or attachments, use strong passwords on all accounts, and back up regularly.
- Don’t rely on antivirus software to protect you. There are many different types of malware out there, so even if you have the most advanced antivirus solution available today—and there are many excellent options—it’s impossible for an AV program alone to protect your devices from every threat.
- Don’t rely on your ISP (internet service provider) to protect you either. ISPs can help keep some forms of attack at bay by blocking port scans and spam messages from entering their networks; however, they’re not always effective at stopping malware from getting into your network because those pieces come from servers outside the ISP’s control (often referred to as third-party servers).
Use tools like Web of Trust (WOT) to make sure the website you’re on is safe.
You can also use tools like Web of Trust (WOT) to make sure the website you’re on is safe. WOT is a free browser plugin for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that uses a community-generated database of websites. You can use WOT to check the safety of websites you visit in your browser and apps on your phone or tablet.
Enable a firewall.
A firewall is a security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. This can be implemented on a computer, router, or server. You can configure it to allow or deny traffic based on the source IP address or other criteria.
The most common way to implement firewalls is through software running on your devices (Windows 10 has a built-in firewall). If you have a business domain for your home network that allows access only from within your house (and not via public Wi-Fi), then you already have an additional layer of protection against ransomware by filtering out all external connections until they’re needed.
If you don’t have any type of firewall enabled yet but are worried about ransomware attacks, this should be one of the first things you do before opening any email attachments!
Keep all of your software up-to-date.
The best way to protect yourself from ransomware is to keep all of your software up-to-date. An update will be made available for download if a vulnerability has been identified and fixed. Ensure you are using the latest version of any software installed on your computer or mobile device.
Many operating systems include automatic updates that automatically install the latest operating system version when it becomes available. This can make it easier to stay up-to-date, but it also means that users have less control over when they receive updates and what features they contain (although most security updates usually don’t introduce new features).
If you want more control over how quickly you receive new features or bug fixes, there are several ways you can delay receiving these automatic updates:
- disabling them entirely;
- setting them so that installation happens only during nonworking hours;
- selecting which kinds of updates should be downloaded automatically (for example, only security patches but not feature upgrades); or
- downloading individual files from a website instead of using an automated installer program that may bundle unrelated files together in one large file download package (e.g., .msi file).
Always back up your data.
It’s a good idea to have an up-to-date backup of your computer in case of ransomware or other data loss. The most common way to back up your data is through cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox, and others. These services usually offer free storage space that can be used for backups.
Another option is a physical hard drive—if you’re on a desktop computer and have the room, this might be what you use as your primary device for storing files and folders that are important enough that they need backing up regularly (e.g., family photos).
Conclusion
The best way to protect yourself from ransomware is to keep all of your software up-to-date, use tools like Web of Trust (WOT) to ensure the website you’re on is safe, and always back up your data. We also recommend taking advantage of security features like multi-factor authentication whenever possible.
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