Ransomware Protection: How to Prevent, Detect, and Recover

What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts your files and demands payment — usually in cryptocurrency — for the decryption key. Modern ransomware attacks can paralyze individuals, businesses, hospitals, and even entire city governments. The average ransom demand has skyrocketed, and there is no guarantee you will get your files back even if you pay.

How Ransomware Spreads

• Phishing emails — Malicious attachments or links that install the ransomware
• Exploit kits — Targeting unpatched vulnerabilities in your operating system or software
• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) — Brute-forcing weak passwords on exposed RDP connections
• Malicious websites — Drive-by downloads from compromised or fake websites
• USB drives — Infected removable media

Prevention Strategy

Keep Everything Updated

Software updates patch the vulnerabilities ransomware exploits. Enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and all applications.

Backup Religiously

The most effective ransomware defense is having clean backups:

• Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite
• Test your backups regularly — untested backups may be useless
• Keep at least one backup disconnected — ransomware can encrypt network-attached backups
• Consider immutable backups that cannot be modified or deleted

Email Security

• Do not open attachments from unknown senders
• Be suspicious of unexpected attachments even from known contacts
• Disable macros in Microsoft Office by default
• Use email filtering to block suspicious attachments

Access Controls

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable 2FA
• Disable Remote Desktop Protocol if not needed
• Use a VPN for remote access instead of exposing RDP
• Limit user permissions — do not use admin accounts for daily work

What to Do If Infected

1. Disconnect immediately — Unplug from the network to prevent spread
2. Do not pay the ransom — There is no guarantee of recovery, and payment funds future attacks
3. Report the attack to law enforcement
4. Identify the ransomware — Sites like No More Ransom may have free decryption tools
5. Restore from backups after ensuring the malware is completely removed
6. Investigate how it happened to prevent repeat infections

The Bottom Line

Ransomware is preventable. Regular backups, updated software, strong passwords, and email vigilance block the vast majority of attacks. Invest time in prevention now — the alternative is losing your files permanently.