How to Protect Your Network From Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is a malicious software that encrypts files on a network, then demands payment to unlock them. It can also steal data, and some attackers threaten to publish private information unless victims pay.
Attackers typically target small and midsize businesses (SMBs) because they often lack strong cybersecurity. However, they can also target large companies with sensitive information that attackers want to keep private.
Once an attacker gains access to your network, it spreads by identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities across the network. Once it has established control, ransomware downloads and installs encryption software. Then, it scans local and network storage systems for a set of file extensions and encrypts them using asymmetric or symmetric cryptography. The attacker then displays an on-screen message describing the situation and demanding the ransom payment, usually in cryptocurrency.
Most experts advise against paying the ransom, since doing so perpetuates the criminal business model. Instead, they recommend that you disconnect systems (disabling network access or powering them down) and perform a rapid and controlled restoration of the most critical systems first, based on productivity and revenue impact. You should then have a trusted expert perform eradication and a root-cause analysis to identify all impacted systems and the vulnerability that was exploited.
To help prevent an attack, educate employees on the dangers of ransomware and teach them to recognize suspicious emails, external links, and questionable file attachments. You should also create honeypots to lure attackers and monitor network traffic to detect activity related to a ransomware infection.