Protect Yourselves Against Ransomwares

We are still facing issues with ransomwares globally, the fact that people are paying them would make them stronger and more and more people become victim of ransomwares. Due to COVID-19 situation is worse because people are working from home and their PC is essentials for their jobs and infection with ransomwares means they are losing their jobs. In addition, it is NOT easy for IT departments to manage their remote workers. Therefore, I am sharing this article to advise you about protecting against ransomwares. In this case, I would share these cases:

Before Getting Infected: You have to make sure your PC is always updated and protected with Anti-Malware product. In Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, you already have Anti-Malware which is Windows Defender and Windows 10 provides greater protection against ransomwares. In addition, in case you observed any suspicious program, email, link… NEVER click or open it and instead check with your IT department or scan it with Anti-Malware product and incase you already have Windows Defender but it won’t detect it and you believe the file is suspicious, submit it to Microsoft. Also make sure you are regularly backup your data.

During Infection: In case you observed infection with ransomwares, don’t panic and disconnect from internet and turn off your PC. Then see how you come across the ransomware, if it was through your company email or website, contact your IT administrator. In case it was from personal email, try login to your email from another device (Make sure you won’t click on the link or attachment of email) and report it to your email provider. You may also report it to your internet service provider. It is important to NOT TO PAY to ransomwares because they will use this money to purchase more resources and infecting more people.

After infection: Let say your PC already infected and you already made payment. In this case, you need to inform your local authorities in your country and the bank where you made payment. Then use tools like Microsoft Safety Scanner and once you removed all traces of malware, then work on protecting your system by making sure you have updated version of Anti-Malware.

Microsoft shared some valuable tips to protect yourselves against ransomwares here.