Top Tips for Preventing Ransomware in your Firm

It’s very well possible that either you or someone you know has been affected by Ransomware. Ransomware is nothing to mess around with. It’s virtually impossible to reverse, and it can cripple businesses in no time. Ransomware is exactly how it sounds—hackers encrypt and lock all of your files, holding them for a monetary ransom, and you’re left either paying an enormous amount of money or losing your files forever.

It’s extremely important to instill best-practice prevention in your office before you or one of your colleagues becomes infected. Consider these eight steps to protect your firm from Ransomware.

Always back up your files to more than one location

Backing up your files should be done every single day before you leave the office. Your files should also be backed up to a source other than your physical computer or server in your office. Backing up your data protects you from not only Ransomware, but from any disasters that may happen to your office such as natural disasters, theft, or damaged equipment.

Select “No” on Macros

Microsoft Office is a very popular way of transmitting Ransomware. Hackers will send documents in Word or Excel files and have you enable a macro to open the document. Office 2016 has put a really strong lock on opening macros and limiting their functions greatly.

Use Microsoft Office Viewer Modes

Office allows you to view documents in viewers that don’t allow macros to appear. It limits your usability in the document and makes it difficult for you to enable macros.

Don’t open anything from anyone you don’t know

Email attachments are the number one way ransomware is distributed. Don’t open any emails that look suspicious, or that you’re not expecting. Don’t open any documents attached to these emails. Questionable invoices are largely used, causing people to open the files allowing their computers to be breached.

Don’t allow yourself to be a Power User

Use administrative rights sparingly and don’t stay logged into admin accounts. Use your work computer as a work computer, and don’t browse the internet or download documents that aren’t in relation to work.

Patch your System

Make sure your system is secure, and there aren’t any bugs running maliciously on your computer. Run a virus scan every so often and make sure your computer is up to date.

Employee retention and training

The better you treat your employees, the longer they’re going to stick around. Disgruntled employees can steal files and wreak havoc on your computers. Training your employees on best practice protocols for cybersecurity and using computers in the work place is very important as well.

Separate the Network

If you have a network configuration in your office, separate different areas with firewalls. These firewalls block any strange information from coming through, and make it extremely difficult for hackers to enter your system.