Ransomware remains a major threat in the cybersecurity landscape, with business data being an attractive target for criminals. Many companies mistakenly believe they are safe from ransomware, but every organization is vulnerable to such attacks.
When hit by ransomware, businesses lose access to their data and are extorted for a significant ransom within a short period. To mitigate this risk, companies need to develop effective strategies.
There are several steps businesses can take to reduce the risk of a ransomware attack. What are these steps? Read this article for the answer.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that attacks and locks up important data on a system or device. The danger is that ransomware can cause an infected system or device to experience long periods of downtime.
Ransomware can affect a wide range of devices and systems, including personal computers, laptops, corporate servers, and mobile devices. Ransomware attacks can cause significant financial loss as victims pay ransoms or incur costs to recover locked data.
Types of Ransomwares
There are several types of ransomwares with different targets. Here are some of them.
Encryption Ransomware
Encryption ransomware encrypts files and folders on the victim’s system or device, including system files, images, videos, and more. The attacker drops a file in an encrypted folder that contains instructions on how to pay the ransom.
Screen Lockers
Screen lockers lock the victim’s device screen, blocking user access and forcing them to follow instructions displayed on the screen.
Master Boot Record (MBR)
This type of ransomware encrypts the computer’s MBR and destroys the boot process. Once the computer is turned on, the victim receives a message from the attacker demanding a ransom payment.
Encrypting Web Server
Encrypting Web Server attacks web servers by encrypting website files and creating vulnerabilities in the content management system (CMS). Effects include corrupting files and making websites inaccessible.
Mobile Device Ransomware
This ransomware targets mobile devices, particularly Android smartphones. It can enter applications or files downloaded from unsecured websites.
How Ransomware Works
The way ransomware works is through cryptographic encryption, which uses a “key” to encrypt and decrypt the files it wants to take. This set of public and private keys is specifically designed by hackers to infiltrate the victim’s system or device and lock down the data they want to take.
The private key for decrypting the files is later stored on the hacker’s server, prompting them to demand a ransom from the victim to recover the stolen data.
Ransomware can enter a victim’s system or device through several types of vectors. One of the most common methods is phishing spam via email and suspicious links. When the victim opens the link, the ransomware takes over the victim’s system or device through administrative access gained through social engineering.
What are the Effects of Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks have a significant impact, not only financially, but also operationally and reputationally. Here are some of the impacts that typically occur.
Loss of Access to Critical Data
Data encrypted by ransomware cannot be accessed, used, or modified. This can hinder business operations by preventing access to important documents, financial reports, or operational data.
Financial Loss
In addition to paying ransoms to ransomware perpetrators, victims may experience other financial losses, such as the cost of remediating infected computer systems, lost productivity due to disrupted business activities, and the cost of hiring experts to recover data.
Reputation Damage
Ransomware attacks can damage a company’s reputation. Customers may lose confidence if their data is affected by an attack. In addition, the loss of sensitive data due to ransomware attacks can result in fines and legal sanctions.
Decreased Productivity
Ransomware attacks can cripple business operations by preventing employees from accessing the data and systems they need to do their jobs. This can lead to a decrease in productivity and impact on the company’s bottom line.
Supply Chain Disruption
Ransomware attacks targeting suppliers or distributors can disrupt supply chains, causing delays in the delivery of goods or raw materials to other related businesses.
Potential Serial Attacks
Ransomware attacks can be an entry point for other cyber-attacks. Cybercriminals can use the access they gain to steal sensitive data or launch other, more dangerous attacks.
How Can You Prevent Ransomware Attacks?
Now you’ve learned about the harmful effects of ransomware attacks, it’s important to understand how to prevent them and take proactive steps to protect your important data. Here are key steps to prevent ransomware attacks.
Back Up Your Data Regularly
Back up your data regularly, either using a hard drive or cloud services. Make sure your website hosting provider offers a regular and automatic backup feature. You can also install a backup plugin as a precaution.
Update Applications and Websites Regularly
Always update your applications and websites to the latest versions to take advantage of the latest features and security enhancements. An undated system can be an entry point for hackers. You can use a plugin with an automatic update feature to avoid the hassle of manual updates.
Don’t Just Click on Web Pages and Emails
Avoid clicking on links or attachments in unknown emails, as ransomware is often delivered via virus-laden emails. Do not open or download attachments from suspicious spam emails, as this may result in your device being infected with ransomware.
Get it All with Secure Hosting
Choose a hosting provider that offers additional security features such as SSL and plug-ins to protect your site from malware, hackers, and other viruses.
Use Security Software and Systems
Install antivirus software with anti-ransomware capabilities to detect, block, and clean viruses in the event of an attack. Also, install SSL and security plug-ins on your website to block security threats and keep online data exchange secure.
To make it easier to protect your data from ransomware and ensure fast and reliable data recovery, you can use the Hitachi Data Protection Suite (HDPS) solution from Hitachi Vantara.
Defeat Ransomware with Hitachi Data Protection Suite
Hitachi Data Protection Suite (HDPS) provides a comprehensive solution to protect your data from ransomware attacks. With a focus on early detection, layered data protection, active monitoring, rapid response and easy recovery, HDPS ensures the integrity and continuity of your business. The following are the layers of security provided by HDPS in accordance with the Cybersecurity Framework.
Proactive Threat Detection
Identify potential risks through various features, including the Security Health Assessment Dashboard, which helps monitor the security status of the system in real time.
Layered Data Protection
Equipped with Zero Trust features, hardened infrastructure, storage lock, air-gapping, and data validation to protect backup data as well as applications and the backup infrastructure itself from ransomware attacks.
Active Data Monitoring
Data is actively monitored using Machine Learning to improve the ability to identify threats. All this activity can be monitored and managed from an intuitive dashboard.
Fast Response Time
Ensures a fast response to ransomware attacks by enabling you to quickly recover affected data. This allows your business to continue with minimal disruption.
Simple and Fast Data Recovery
Data recovery with HDPS is designed to be as easy, fast, and flexible as possible. HDPS offers a variety of features and options to help attacked organizations get back up and running in the shortest possible time.
Get Hitachi Data Protection Suite Only at CDT
Get the best ransomware prevention strategy with Hitachi Data Protection Suite (HDPS) from Hitachi Vantara, only from Central Data Technology (CDT). As an authorized Hitachi Vantara partner in Indonesia, CDT can help you with recommendations for ransomware prevention solutions.
Supported by a professional, experienced and certified IT team, CDT will also help you through the stages of consulting, deployment, management and after-sales support to avoid trial and error when implementing Hitachi Data Protection Suite (HDPS).
Contact us today to discuss your data protection needs.
Author: Wilsa Azmalia Putri
CTI Group Content Writer
