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Ransomware is on the rise, and businesses in Kansas City are at risk. If you’re not familiar with ransomware, it’s a type of malware that encrypts your data and holds it ransom until you pay the attacker. In some cases, ransomware can even lock you out of your computer or device entirely.
This can be a huge disaster for businesses, who may lose important data or even have to close their doors if they can’t get access to their files. In this blog post, we’ll discuss ransomware prevention techniques that Kansas City businesses can use to protect themselves from attacks.
Professional Cybersecurity
In light of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency urged United States-based companies to strengthen cybersecurity protocols. Although Russia has not launched credible threats toward the U.S., this hybrid war is unpredictable, and it’s best to take proactive measures to protect your business and community now.
The very best way to protect your Kansas City business is to partner with a trusted IT company in the area. They will be able to assess your systems, recommend solutions, and install and monitor your IT infrastructure.
While you may think that you can protect your business on your own with basic security measures, the truth is that ransomware is becoming more sophisticated and difficult to detect. Cybersecurity professionals have the training and experience needed to stay one step ahead of these attacks.
An experienced IT company can also assist you with data backup and recovery. If you do fall victim to ransomware, having a recent backup of your data can be the difference between shutting down your business and getting back up and running quickly.
Train Your Employees
Your employees are your first line of defense against ransomware. Make sure they know what to look for and how to report any suspicious activity. Teach them not to open attachments or click on links in emails from unfamiliar senders and to be careful about downloading files from the internet.
You may also want to consider implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. With BYOD, employees can use their own devices for work purposes, but they must follow certain security protocols. This can help to reduce the risk of ransomware being introduced to your network via a compromised device.
Update and Patch Your Software
One of the most important ransomware prevention techniques is to keep your software up-to-date. This includes your operating system, as well as any applications you use.
Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in software to gain access to systems and install ransomware. By keeping your software up-to-date, you can close these vulnerabilities and make it more difficult for attackers to get into your network.
Cautious Email Practices
Email is one of the most common ways that ransomware is delivered and involves every endpoint. Attackers will send emails with attachments or links that, when opened, will install ransomware on your system. To protect yourself from these attacks, you and your employees should regularly practice precautions like the following:
- Formulate a strong password for your email account and change it often
- Exercise caution when you receive emails from unknown accounts and notice misspellings.
- Hover over links to ensure they match the actual URL
- Use an antivirus scan for all attachments before opening them
- Don’t connect to public Wi-Fi
- Log out of your email account when done for the day
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-Factor Authentication, or MFA, is a nonnegotiable cybersecurity measure in today’s digital landscape. MFA requires users and employees to undergo at least two different authentication processes for admittance to a sensitive account.
MFA is fairly simple to set up and incredibly effective.However, if you are needing assistance with this, partnering with a reliable IT services partner in Kansas City can help. The National Institute of Standards and Technology requires federal agencies to enact MFA for accounts with personal information, a
regulation that is advantageous for the private sector to follow as well.
Start Protecting Your Business Today!
Ransomware is a serious threat to businesses in Kansas City. By following these ransomware prevention techniques, you can help protect your company from this dangerous malware. For more information or assistance with ransomware prevention, contact Results Technology today.
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