Ransomware 101: How to Protect Your Business Data

Ransomware is a business model. It is effectively "Data Kidnapping." Hackers encrypt your critical files and demand payment (in Bitcoin) to release the decryption key. In 2024, the average ransom demand exceeds $1 million.

How it gets in

1. Phishing Emails: "Invoice attached.pdf.exe". Employees click on a malicious attachment that installs the payload.
2. RDP (Remote Desktop): Leaving port 3389 open to the internet with weak passwords. This is the #1 vector for small businesses.
3. Unpatched Software: Exploiting old vulnerabilities in VPNs or Exchange servers (like the Citrix Bleed exploit).

Defense in Depth

1. The 3-2-1 Backup Rule: 3 copies of data, 2 different media types, 1 offsite (offline). If your backup is connected to the network, the ransomware will traverse the LAN and encrypt it too. Offline (Air-gapped) backups are the only 100% cure.
2. Disable Macros: Block Office macros (VBA) from the internet via Group Policy. This kills most Word/Excel malware.
3. Endpoint Protection (EDR): Traditional antivirus focuses on "signatures" of known viruses. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) looks for "behavior" (e.g., "Why is Calculator.exe trying to encrypt 10,000 files in 1 minute?").

Key Takeaway

You cannot prevent 100% of attacks. You CAN prevent data loss. Your survival depends entirely on the quality and isolation of your backups. If you can't restore from an offline source, you will be paying the ransom.