Protecting Against Ransomware Incidents
Ransomware is a type of malware that attackers use to infect your systems, encrypt your data and hold it for ransom. A form of data kidnapping if you will. Until the ransom payment is made, your business will not be able to access important files and risk this data being leaked or sold. Ransomware infections are tricky to detect, and the encrypted files are almost impossible to break through. They're also delivered in a number of ways, from suspicious email attachments in spam emails to malicious websites that teams may come across, making it easy to fall prey. The best way to protect your business is to invest in ransomware protection training that helps your team identify ransomware activity and avoid it.
Everything You Need To Defend Your Business
As ransomware attacks evolve, so should your security posture on malware protection. The way ransomware works is by targeting your business' vulnerabilities, and often it simply comes down to user error. The best ransomware protection puts your team at the front of your defense, showing them how to detect ransomware threats and implement best practices to safeguard your data. CyberSafe International's module on Ransomware Protection Training is designed to help your team understand how ransomware works, identify common ransomware activity and avoid ransomware infections.
Understanding Encrypted Files
A sign of a ransomware incident in progress is protected folders that cannot be accessed by anyone in your company. This controlled folder access will require a private key from the attackers, which won't be shared until ransom demands are met.
We'll show your team how to recognise encrypted files, what antivirus software or ransomware detection programs can pick up on maliciously protected folders within their operating systems and how secure backups can mitigate downtime caused by these attacks.
Knowing Its Forms
Ransomware infections can come in many forms, each with its own unique attack patterns and intent. These ransomware strains are also delivered in different ways. Some of the most known ransomware includes:
- Dharma - often showing up in spam emails or packaged within legitimate software
- Ryuk - often reserved for targeted, more high-level attacks and boasting a three-tier, hard-to-beat encryption
- Maze - an incredibly active and highly complex strain that includes a lot of anti-detection tricks
Our module takes your team through the many forms of ransomware, how they uniquely affect important files and your operating systems, and how to detect and protect against each form.
Avoiding The Ransomware Threat
The best protection is avoidance. Once ransomware is in the system, it's hard to get it out, and if an organisation gives in to ransom demands, it could open the door to further attacks. There's also no guarantee of your data being released once you do. So, in an ideal world, your employees are trained to pick up on potential ransomware activity and prevent ransomware attacks from happening in the first place.
Our program teaches your team ransomware prevention best practices, including how their behaviour online and on mobile devices can help avoid creating vulnerabilities for hackers to get through.
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Why CyberSafe International?
We're passionate about protecting Australian businesses from ransomware attacks, and not funding criminal activity by allowing ransom demands to be met. That's why our team have created this comprehensive module, taking our years of experience in the Australian cyber security landscape, to teach your employees how to protect your data. With CyberSafe International, you're getting:
- A program informed built on the Australian Government's Essential Eight
- Tried-and-tested best practices for the best ransomware protection
- A CPD-accredited program, for total peace of mind
- Bite-sized modules that build skills in just 15 minutes or less
- Frameworks for a security posture that is compliant with Australian regulations
- Practical methods for use in your company, at every level of the business
From just USD$2 per employee, you'll get an all-access pass to our module on Ransomware Protection and nine other critical cyber security lessons for your team, covering everything from avoiding phishing to safe browsing online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you protect yourself from ransomware?
There is a great deal you can do to protect your business from ransomware threats, and you don't have to be a security expert to implement decent ransomware protection best practices. A lot of the time, ransomware infections occur as a result of user error - employees downloading attachments from spam emails or clicking on pop-ups on a suspicious web page. The best ransomware protection starts with educating your team on the threat and reshaping their behaviour online.
Is paying ransomware demands worth it?
Once ransomware is in your system, and you're dealing with important encrypted files, it's tempting to give in to ransomware demands. However, keep in mind that there's no guarantee an attacker will release your data once you do. And even so, paying ransoms on your data funds these criminal organisations and further incentivises them to carry out ransomware attacks. Knowing your business is willing to give in to ransomware demands, they're also likely to target you again. The best ransomware protection is team training, helping them increase cyber security awareness, so they're less likely to fall prey to ransomware activity.
Is there a way to defeat ransomware?
There are some anti-virus software and malware protection tools that could detect and remove ransomware infections. However, as ransomware operations evolve, and ransomware strains become more complex, it will be harder to get them out of your systems. Some strains are even able to change themselves in real-time to avoid detection.
The best defense against ransomware is looking at it holistically - so yes, you should absolutely have the right protective software installed, but you also need to consider the role your employees play in avoiding ransomware attacks.