Keep Your Data Safe From Ransomware

Statistically speaking, most companies that experience data loss are out of business within a year, which makes data protection one of the most important, vital aspects of your business. One of the biggest threats facing data today is ransomware. A Trojan threat that encrypts your files and essentially holds them for ransom, ransomware gains access to your files through seemingly innocent emails and links. One minute you’re looking at a picture of a cute bunny, the next you’re reading a ransom note with instructions about how to retrieve or unencrypt your files. Hint: the process involves money.

The number one rule of ransomware involves your actions after receiving such a threat. You should never pay any ransom note, and don’t contact the “company” holding your information for ransom. You will not get your files back. Even if you do, which is doubtful, your backups may also be affected, rendering them useless. So how do you protect your files from such a threat?

How to Protect Your Data

After an attack, the only option is to restore your files from backup. This requires a diligent system for backing up your files and the use of a safe backup service. However, the true goal is to avoid encryption and ransomware in the first place. You can do this through layers of protection:

  1. Subscribe to a service that scans all your business’ email accounts and web browsing.
  2. Use antivirus software that actively scans all exchanges of information and data as they occur.
  3. Educate yourself and your employees about the current dangers facing data. Threats change, making it essential to make education an ongoing component of your data protection.
  4. Backup, backup, BACKUP!!!

Alone, any one of these approaches will not work. One prevention method can and will fail. For this reason, it takes layers of protection. There is no single one way to protect your data, there are several. When you use all the protection methods together, you increase your chances of protecting your data. A proven protection system along with safe and adequate backup measures will keep you safe from hackers and ransomware.