Being attacked by malware can be annoying at the best of times, or incredibly devastating at the worst. Ransomware attacks are closer to the worst-case scenario because they can not only affect the victim’s data, but the cybercriminal will also demand something valuable to fix the problem. Such attacks are very dangerous but can be avoided.
Read on to find out how you can protect your devices from ransomware attacks.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is taking your computer and the data stored on it hostage, How to Geek explained. For a safe return of your device and all the information it contains, a ransom is demanded. Old forms of ransomware restricted access to your computer entirely, but the most common approach now is to encrypt the data with a key you don’t know.
The ransom can be anything from money sent through banking services like PayPal to gift card codes like Xbox gift cards. Some hackers would even demand cryptocurrency because it is anonymous and almost untraceable.
Some cyber criminals are so nefarious that even after successful transfer of the ransom, your device and all of its contents are not properly returned. In one research, ransomware is said to have cost the world $ 6 trillion in damage per year.
Ransomware can find its way to your device through attachments from suspicious email addresses or any suspicious links sent to you from any email platform. Some installed third-party applications may also contain viruses and malware.
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Protecting against ransomware is always better than having to fix it when it happens. It’s always best to keep your devices up to date with security updates offered by your company, as outdated software can expose security vulnerabilities.
Also Read: CloudKit Bug: How a Security Researcher Accidentally Broke Apple Shortcuts
6 free tools to protect your devices from ransomware
Protecting against ransomware is always better than having to fix it when it happens. It’s always best to keep your devices up to date with security updates offered by your company, as outdated software can expose security vulnerabilities.
As a precaution, it is best to always keep backups of your data to ensure that all is not completely lost if a hacker takes them hostage.
It is also imperative to have anti-malware tools so that you can eliminate the problem before it is too late.
6. Acronis ransomware protection
This free solution can go hand in hand with some of the “best” ransomware available on the Internet, Comparitech said. This free tool is also one of the best security solutions for zero-day attacks.
5. BitDefender Antivirus Plus
It is a comprehensive tool with real-time data protection against viruses, Trojans, spyware, zero-day exploits and ransomware, Techie Gamers explained. It automatically blocks malicious URLs and known malware and settings scans and ensures that only trusted programs can access files and folders. BitDefender offers a 30-day free trial so that you can perform the necessary analysis if you think you are under attack.
4. Webroot Antivirus
With a 14-day free trial, this ransomware protection tool is ideal for older computers because it doesn’t have a big impact on your system resources, taking only around 500 megabytes of space. It can scan your computer 60 times faster than its competition and includes features like webcam protection, real-time anti-phishing, and identity theft protection, Techie Games said.
3. ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus
This attack prevention system is a vulnerability scanner and patch manager. It offers free trials and works on system hardening services to provide solid protection for your device, Comparitech said.
2. CrowdStrike Falcon ransomware protection
This protection platform combines defense strategies to prevent any ransomware infection. It combines the functions of anti-virus software and firewall to block ransomware and other malware. It has a 15 day trial.
1. NuShield Data Sentinel
This tool is more focused on the recovery phase after an attack, explained Techie Gamers. It comes in three editions: Free, Home and Business.
To protect your data, attackers are tricked into believing that they are accessing the original files on your computer. In reality, they are in fact only seeing a mirror image of themselves.
After an attack, once your computer is back up and running, their one-click restore makes it easy to undo any negative changes, allowing you to quickly regain access to your computer.
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