Ransomware Attack: Everything You Need To Know

The world is changing, and it's getting more dangerous. Cybercriminals are finding new ways to take advantage of people and businesses e...

The world is changing, and it's getting more dangerous. Cybercriminals are finding new ways to take advantage of people and businesses every day, with the most popular method being ransomware attacks.

What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that gets into your computer and locks it down. You can't do anything on the computer until you pay money to the person who infected it.

It's estimated that there are over 400,000 new cases of ransomware crimes each day. Ransomware attacks are a huge problem for business owners, but services such as those provided by Zscaler can help with prevention and response. This blog post highlights why ransomware happens, how to prevent it from happening to you, and what steps you should take if you're faced with a ransom notice while working on your website.

How Does A Ransomware Attack Happen?

It happens when you have an unprotected website that becomes vulnerable to attack. This post highlights some of the most common ways that websites are breached and infected with ransomware:

● A worker is using a laptop on public wifi at the airport, and someone steals their password.

● Someone hacked into your company network through a router or modem.

● Someone used a keylogger to steal your password.

● An old version of WordPress that hasn't been updated in years and has lots of security vulnerabilities.

● Your website was infected by someone who clicked on the wrong link or downloaded the wrong file online.

Ransomware can happen even if you did everything right. However, it's your job to make sure that it never does. There are a few preventive measures you can take, including:

● Keep your computer and devices safe with anti-virus software.

● Update your WordPress site regularly, so any security holes are patched up.

● Use strong passwords for everything on your network or device. These include router logins.

● Keep your data backed up in a secure place so it can't be used against you even if the ransomware encrypts every file on your computer.

What Should You Do If Your Computer Or Website Is Infected With Ransomware?

If this happens to you, there are a few steps that need to be taken right away. The first thing you have to do is disconnect from the internet so nobody can get into it.

Such actions prevent unauthorized data access, especially if they're trying to encrypt everything on your hard drive. Then contact your hosting company to let them know what's going on so they can help you out.

The cable company may have a system in place where the files are automatically backed up even if your computer is infected but don't count on it. It is crucial to back up important information yourself in an external storage device.

After this, delete all programs that were installed after the infection. Then uninstall any other programs that you don't use. The last thing you have to do is wipe the hard drive, so it's clean.

Ransomware attacks are things that should be anticipated. By having the right protocols and systems in place, you can ensure your business stays safe.