How to protect yourself from Ransomware

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To protect yourself from Ransomware you first have to understand how it works.

Ransomware will encrypt your data and only the person that initiated the infection has the key. This group will then threaten to delete the key making it near impossible to gain access to your data after a certain amount of time has passed.

The attackers are not typically interested in stealing your information for financial gain but instead have no problem deleting it all unless you are willing to pay a fee to gain access to your information.

 

Typically an infection can be initiated by a pop up while browsing the web, using a search engine to look up information and clicking on a website that is fake, and even receiving an unsolicited phone call from someone claiming they are with Apple, Microsoft, or some other well-known company or government agency stating that you have an infection and they need to assist you in removal.

You can work to avoid Ransomware by taking precautions and following the following advice:

  • Back up often: Using a cloud backup solution will keep your data backed up hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly. If your system gets compromised you can restore a previous version of your data and be back up and running.
  • Avoid Unsolicited Contact: If you receive an email or a phone call from someone stating your computer is infected and they need to access it remotely to assist with cleaning it up, hang up and call a trusted IT consultant. Never allow someone you don’t know access to your computer remotely.
  • Antivirus/Antimalware: Use reputable antivirus/antimalware software such as Webroot will add search protection and give you warnings when you access a website that is not safe.

Do not be tempted to give in and pay the ransom, paying them may result in further extortions. Take precautions now to prevent this from ever happening.

The Tech Zen performs IT services for residential and small business clients through-out South Florida. If you feel you may have been compromised or want to see that you are protected with proper antivirus software and backup solution contact us for a free phone consultation.