Protecting Your Network from Ransomware

Protecting Your Network from Ransomware

Recently, the Rockville Centre school district paid almost $100,000 to restore their data after being hacked with a ransomware virus that encrypted files on their server. Ransomware has gained a lot of notoriety lately as it seems to be taking down businesses, schools, and other organizations across the country. No one really knows where it originates from, but what we do know is how it’s getting here; end users open phishing emails with malicious attachments or click on suspicious URLs. Once the user runs or installs those programs, the entire system is compromised, especially if there’s no protection on the machine.

If these incidences teach us anything, it’s that we should ALWAYS keep a backup. Investing in an offsite, cloud-based solution that automatically backs up data daily is the best way to protect files. If a user is hacked by ransomware and has data backed up offsite, IT professionals should be able to wipe and restore all data using a clean backup.

The FBI suggests the following actions to further protect yourself against ransomware:

1. Implement an awareness program to educate yourself and others - Proper training can prevent workers from clicking malicious links.
2. Enable strong spam filters
3. Scan incoming and outgoing emails - Enable anti-virus and anti-malware programs to conduct regular scans. Draining the moat makes it easier to scale the castle wall. When an endpoint is compromised, it makes it easier to overcome any other perimeter defenses.
4. Back up your data regularly
5. Conduct an annual test - Vulnerability assessments can find your network’s weaknesses.
6. Update your passwords frequently - For IT professionals and administrators: Deploy a policy to force users to update their passwords every 90 days.
7. Isolate and quarantine ransomware when you do find it - The most effective way to kill a snake is to cut off its head. Power off all affected devices – immediately secure your backups by taking them offline!

Need help Protecting your Network from Ransomware? Call (631) 203-6403
LI Tech Advisors is your Long Island IT solutions company.

Anthony Buonaspina, BSEE, BSCS,CPACC

Anthony has been in the MSP business since before the acronym existed. Managed IT once started as break-fix solutions and some light phone support.

Since then, he has seen the industry flourish into a landscape of platforms, cloud servers, software tools and AI . Tailoring network configurations and software stacks to the specific needs of each business.

In his current role, he focuses on proactive planning, ensuring clients can avoid potential issues altogether. This involves meticulous planning for enhanced business continuity, allowing swift resolution of any unforeseen challenges. What initially began as addressing "fires" through break-fix solutions has evolved into a proactive approach, ensuring that such issues are prevented from arising in the first place.