Ransomware has become a dreaded word. It brings to mind unexpected shutdowns of businesses and critical services, including energy pipelines. Ransomware leads to downtime because it encrypts necessary data until someone pays a fee. If you don’t pay the ransom, the data or access to an essential resource remains out of reach and could be potentially lost forever.
Ransomware can exploit a vulnerability in your network. But it’s more common for it to start with a phishing email, a corrupted website download, or an infected attachment. Another source is via remote access to a device, which cybercriminals can execute through social engineering tactics. They pose as a vendor while calling or emailing an employee, tricking them into granting remote access through seemingly legitimate requests.
While the definition of ransomware hasn’t changed much, cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated in how they deploy it. Targets are also evolving, with an increased focus on connected endpoints instead of networks. Let’s look at those changes and what you can do to protect yourself.
Account for Zero Day Vulnerabilities
At its core, ransomware is malware. However, it turns up the potential damaging effects a notch. With malware, you might experience a data breach, including stolen login credentials. Ransomware cuts off the data-based resources your company needs to function and can quickly paralyze critical operations. It can lock down a single device, but its goal is to spread the damage as wide as possible.
Like malware, ransomware can exploit software vulnerabilities. These are flaws in the code cybercriminals have discovered and figured out how to manipulate. Typically, updates come out to address these vulnerabilities. But what’s known as a zero day vulnerability is becoming increasingly prevalent and poses a significant threat.
This is a flaw developers haven’t released a patch for, and they may not even know the flaw exists. Anti-malware programs won’t detect the vulnerability or the ransomware designed to take advantage of it. To protect your company, you need more than a reliance on network monitoring and regular software updates in today’s evolving threat landscape.
You need methods like allowlisting, which only lets apps on your approved list run. The list extends to scripts, libraries, and other executables. Since ransomware programs won’t be on the list, these malicious apps can’t exploit zero day vulnerabilities.
Keep Backups Offline
Backing up your data might be an integral part of your IT team’s routine. Those backups could be automated to run at the end of business every day and provide essential redundancy to protect against unexpected system failures. But what good will those backups do if they’re within the reach of ransomware?
Backup files stored on your network are just as vulnerable as the rest of your data. If ransomware infects online backup files, they’ll be locked down, too, causing catastrophic data loss. You can segment your network, providing an additional wall of protection for backup locations. However, a better approach is to store your backups offline.
Although offline backups require more planning and complexity, the tactic is lauded as critical to ransomware protection by cybersecurity experts. With offline backups, you’re ensuring cybercriminals can’t lock a secondary copy of your data down. However, you have to control access, be mindful of data integrity, and mitigate potential threats to the storage devices.
Add Email Protection
Phishing campaigns are one of the main ways organized cybercriminal groups deliver ransomware through sophisticated social engineering techniques and increasingly convincing impersonation strategies targeting unsuspecting users. These campaigns typically leverage email to target victims, whether they’re individuals or organizations. If you have registered your email address with digital wallet platforms and service providers, you’ve likely already been a target.
Phishing emails can be made to look like they’re authentic. These messages appear to be from the business you patronize and often mimic their communication style perfectly. Within the emails are legitimate-looking logos and sender addresses that can fool even experienced users. Yet, the messages are asking you to verify sensitive data, often with a sense of urgency. For instance, the email may say your internet service will be cut off or access to your account is compromised.
To prevent the unthinkable from happening, you must click a link to verify your personal details or take immediate action before your account is permanently compromised. It’s not only a ploy to steal your data, but also to potentially compromise your account to do more widespread damage. In companies, employees may receive emails that appear to be from bosses asking them to authorize gift cards. It’s a way to gain business financial data.
Ransomware can also be installed by clicking on elements of the email, including graphics embedded with links. Companies can implement additional email protection measures to verify emails are legitimate. Examples include digital signatures, encryption keys, and domain authentication. Along with employee education, email protection helps prevent people from falling for phishing campaigns.
Run Scheduled Tests
Your security protocols may be airtight today. Nonetheless, ransomware continues to evolve and doesn’t just include encrypting or locking down your data. Ransomware could also come in the form of threats to expose sensitive data unless you pay immediately through untraceable cryptocurrency transactions.
It’s similar to receiving an unsolicited phone call advising you’re about to be arrested unless you pay a fine today. The caller goes on about a charge or old traffic ticket you’re not aware of. The person on the other line says they’re with the law, but you have no way of verifying their identity.
Re-evaluating and testing your security measures shows if they’ll stand up to emerging threats. Simulations also identify previously unseen vulnerabilities, including access privileges. The testing and re-evaluation process can lead to stronger protocols meant to stand up to real-life tests.
Ransomware Protection
Undoubtedly, ransomware attacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication. The phishing attacks used to deliver ransomware are more challenging to spot. Plus, the potential targets criminals use increase with the adoption of smart and mobile devices. Beating malicious actors at their game requires a multifaceted approach that accounts for hidden exploits and installs stronger guardrails.