With attacks like Petya and WannaCry, ransomware has reared its ugly head again. While the latest threat primarily targets Windows systems, you should still be vigilant when it comes to suspicious activity on all of your systems.
Here are some quick tips for protecting yourself:
Don’t Click It
Be wary of any unsolicited emails asking you to click on a link, or open an attachment. If it seems suspicious, don’t click it. Doing so could infect not only your computer but whatever network you’re a part of, that’s how malware spreads.
Update Your Systems
Make sure your operating system and applications are updated so they have the latest critical patches and/or security fixes. The easiest way to do this is to enable auto-updates. Applying critical software updates should be done on a regular basis to help protect you from future malware outbreaks.
Use Antivirus Software
While not always 100% effective, antivirus software can block malware from being downloaded and prevent malware from being installed. Make sure your antivirus softwares, and/or signatures, are updated on a regular basis.
Backup Your Data
Create secure backups of important data to a separate storage device (such as an external hard drive) on a regular basis. Physically disconnecting your storage device is required to avoid it from being infected with ransomware. Cloud storage (such as Google Drive or Dropbox) is another option. While a cloud service could still be targeted, they have much better resources to respond quickly to an attack. If you have your most important data saved on separate systems then you won’t be at risk of losing your data if you get infected.
We hope this information is helpful to you! Staying aware and keeping up to date will make you a big part of defending your organization against cyber threats!
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This blog is meant to provide a starting point to implementing cyber security practices within your company. Due to the rapid progression of technology this is an ongoing and ever-evolving subject!