5 Ways to Protect Your Small Business from Ransomware Attacks

From an original article by Sarah Grano, American Bankers Association

Ransomware has become one of the fastest growing malware threats to small businesses. According to the FBI, in 2015, more than $1.6 million was lost due to ransomware attacks. The popular malware is used by cybercriminals to freeze business networks, servers, or individual computers, steal critical data and information, and demand that a ransom be paid.

Here are some ways you can avoid ransomware attacks:

• Educate your employees – A strong security system paired with employee education about the warning signs, safe practices, and responses offer a strong first line of defense.
• Manage the use of privileged accounts – Restrict users’ ability to install and run software applications on network devices.
• Employ a data backup and recovery plan – Backups are essential to lessen the impact of potential malware threats. Keep the data on a separate device or offline.
• Keep business devices up to date – Ensure antivirus and anti-malware solutions are set to automatically update and conduct regular scans.

In the event your business experiences a ransomware attack, contact your local FBI field office immediately. For more information and a helpful ransomware infographic, click here.