SpartanTec, Inc. Wilmington: How Can Managed IT Services Protect Your Systems From Ransomware

According to a survey by InfoSec professionals in 2018, the greatest cybersecurity problem globally was ransomware prevention. That’s why managed IT services are essential for businesses.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens the victim’s data by publishing or blocking it. If the ransom is not paid, the victim will be unable to access their data. Sounds nasty, doesn’t it? It is.

You may be able reverse certain attacks if you are knowledgeable about ransomware. Advanced malware is more difficult to combat because it encrypts victim’s files and demands money to decrypt them. This is known as crypto-viral exortion.

Without the decryption keys, it is almost impossible for victims of cybercrime to retrieve their files. It is also difficult to report cybercriminals as ransoms are paid in digital currencies that are hard to trace such as Bitcoin.

Do I need Ransomware Protection

Ransomware can be used to target anyone who has an internet connection and a computer. The risk of being attacked is high, regardless of whether it’s an individual user or business. Ransomware protection is necessary.

You might be curious about ransomware’s operation. When it infects computers, victims are shown a warning message on their screen. There is also a demand for payment.

In the 1980s, ransomware was first developed. Payment was sent by snail mail. Today, however the payment can be made using cryptocurrency or credit cards.

According to research, Iran, Thailand, and the UAE had the highest ransomware infections rates in 2018. These infections are most often caused by spam/phishing emails and a lack of cybersecurity training.

Managed IT service providers reported that CryptoLocker was the most common ransomware strain by victims, followed by WannaCry (WannaCry) and CryptoWall.

Ransomware can target backups

Advanced ransomware can delete any backups it finds. One common tactic is to delete backups of files that have been created on Windows. You can’t revert back by restoring the system.

Ransomware can also be spread to other computers via shared network drives. Ransomware crawls the system searching for certain file types depending on its intent. It will most likely encrypt any backup file extensions it finds.

Ransomware actually aims to infect as many systems as possible.

Backups need not be vulnerable. Reputable managed IT providers can help protect your backups and systems from ransomware attacks.

How can managed IT services prevent ransomware attacks?

Small and large businesses today want to learn how to avoid ransomware. Most small businesses turn to managed service providers for reliable solutions. Here are some ways they can make sure that adequate protections are in place so as to reduce the chance of infection.

Advanced Defense to Minimize Risques

Ransomware is a form of malware so it is crucial to have reliable antivirus software on all computers. This is the first line defense and is installed by managed IT service providers.

DNS filtering is another line of defense that prevents users from accessing dangerous web pages. DNS filtering redirects user’s web traffic via a cloud-based security system that can be adjusted so that protections are in place that stop threats at the network’s door and prevent users from accessing malicious sites.

Increased email security:

Ransomware uses emails as a main route to spread its malicious code. This is why it is important to have a solution that reduces the chance of malware reaching users’ inboxes. If ransomware does manage to reach the user’s inbox, this solution will prevent it from causing any damage.

You may be mistaken if you believe the spam filter will quarantine ransomware. Multi-layered security inspection is crucial. An IT service provider may be able to provide advanced protection against unsafe attachments and links. You can also block people from accessing infected files.

Patching and Updating

It is important to patch and update your system regularly in order to reduce the chance of ransomware attacks. Managed service providers ensure that all systems are kept up-to date by following a strict patching schedule. This allows your business to continue its day without interruption and prevents you from being delayed in getting patches that could make your system vulnerable.

Training end users

It is crucial to educate all employees and users about cybersecurity and possible threats in order to ensure that they use their devices and apps responsibly.

Users may use any method necessary to complete their tasks quickly. Clients may send files via their email. Or they might use external storage drives to transfer files. You must inform them of the consequences of their actions, including the possibility of placing your systems at risk.

Managed service providers provide continuous education to users in order to increase their awareness of cyber threats and to test their knowledge. Simulators allow users to track their responses to a threat.

This information may be used by organizations to reward users who correctly identify threats and take corrective action. They also provide additional training for users who require it.

Regular backups are essential

Ransomware can still be a threat to systems even if they have all the necessary defenses. Trustworthy managed service providers will be able to anticipate any possible infection and use the right software to restore sensitive data. Clients have access to both cloud-based and local backup to facilitate this.

Cloud-to-cloud backup solutions are another necessity. Microsoft has taken many safeguarding measures to ensure Office 365 backups, but users can upload malicious files into OneDrive, which could lead to all files being infected. Only an experienced managed services provider can protect your files in such a situation.

Monitoring and mitigation

Finally, managed IT providers closely monitor your IT environment and ensure it is safe. Your systems are equipped to respond to ransomware attacks automatically. If an attack occurs, you will be notified immediately. The provider’s settings will immediately isolate the infected machine and run an anti-malware scan to prevent other files from being infected. This will limit the damage and protect other computers.

Conclusion

There is no single solution to ransomware prevention. To protect their systems against attacks, both individuals and businesses would be well advised to hire a reliable managed IT service provider. A reliable service provider can help you defeat such attacks by removing malware from the system and training your employees on internet security. We would love to hear about your security measures to protect your system from malicious malware. Please share them with us in the comments section.