Online Security: Top 10 Best Practices To Prevent Ransomware Attacks In 2023

As the world's technologies develop, so do the number of ways for bad actors to commit cybercrime. One type of attack that has become increasingly common in recent years is ransomware. This is where a hacker infiltrates a system and then locks it down, preventing the user from accessing their data unless they pay a ransom.

Ransomware attacks can be highly damaging, both to individuals and businesses. They can lead to the loss of important data and financial damage from paying the ransom.

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You can take some steps to protect yourself from ransomware attacks.

• Use strong passwords and never reuse them: Using strong passwords is one of the most basic and essential steps you can take to protect your online accounts. Passwords should be long (at least eight characters), complex (includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols), and unique (not used for any other account). You should also never reuse passwords.

• Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication is an additional layer of security that requires you to provide a second piece of information after entering your password. This could be a code sent to your phone or an email, or a physical token you have.

• Keep your software up to date: Software updates often include security patches that can help protect you from the latest threats. It's necessary to make sure that all of the software on your devices is always up to date.

• Be careful what you click: One of the most common ways people get infected with ransomware is by clicking on a malicious link or attachment. So, it's important to be careful about what you click on, even if it comes from someone you know.

• Use a reputable antivirus: A good antivirus program can help protect you from ransomware and other threats. Make sure to choose a reputable program and keep it up to date.

• Back up your data: One of the worst things about ransomware is that it can lead to the loss of meaningful data. You should regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage service to protect yourself.

• Be cautious about email attachments: Email attachments are another common way people get infected with ransomware. It's critical to be careful about what you click on. If you're not expecting an attachment, or if it comes from someone you don't know, it's best to delete it.

• Avoid public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are often not secure, meaning they can be easy targets for hackers. So, if at all feasible, avoid utilizing them.

• Be aware of phishing attacks: Phishing attacks are a scam where criminals try to trick you into giving them your personal information. They may do this by sending you an email that looks like it's from a reputable company or website or by creating a fake website that looks real.

• Use a VPN: A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet traffic and can help protect you from being spied on or hacked when using public Wi-Fi.

By following these steps, you can help to protect yourself from ransomware attacks.

However, it's important to remember that no security measure is 100% effective. So, it's also important to have a plan in place if you become a victim of an attack.

Run a free security scan in a few clicks

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.