Protect your network from WannaCry and other Ransomware

Last week’s news of the Ransomware attack on several NHS hospitals has again emphasised the need to ensure your business is protected against Ransomware. These random attacks were not specifically targeting the hospitals and also infected a number of large organisations such as Telefónica in Spain, and FedEx. This highlights the fact that it could […]

Last week’s news of the Ransomware attack on several NHS hospitals has again emphasised the need to ensure your business is protected against Ransomware.

These random attacks were not specifically targeting the hospitals and also infected a number of large organisations such as Telefónica in Spain, and FedEx. This highlights the fact that it could just as easily be you if your network is not sufficiently protected.

Although the ransom demand could be deemed fairly small in this case, up to $600. This is nothing compared to the fine your organisation could face if your data is compromised under the impending Global Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Also, paying the ransom does not guarantee the safe return of your data.

How can you protect your organisation against Ransomware?

To ensure your organisation is properly protected, you need to ensure that you implement a layered security defence:

  • Always Patch – This specific piece of Ransomware is said to have exploited a Windows vulnerability that was patched earlier this year which could have prevented the Malware from running.
  • Replace End-of-Life Operating Systems – Some of the NHS hospitals in question were said to be running Windows XP which is no longer a supported operating system. It is possible however that the NHS have pieces of equipment or programs that are currently only able to run on Windows XP. In these cases, it is imperative that these machines are isolated from the main network.
  • Email Security – Utilising an email security solution can help block the malicious emails before they reach you network.
  • Educate your employees – Ensure your employees are properly educated on the risks of phishing emails containing suspicious attachments and web links.
  • Back-up your data – By backing up your data regularly, it allows you to easily restore it should your computer become infected. This also means that you need pay the ransom as you have a copy of your data.
  • Gateway Antivirus – Implement a leading AV solution and maintain any subscriptions to ensure you always have up to date signatures.
  • Advanced Malware Protection – Deploying a malware protection solution to accompany your existing AV solution is your best bet for catching malware attacks like this. Real-time detection and blocking engines continuously monitor for ransomware behaviors, like those seen in WanaCrypt0r.

If you would like any further information or advise on how to protect you network by implementing a layered security approach, please contact a member of our expert team today.

T: 01483 227600  |  E: [email protected]