So, What is Ransomware?
Cyberattack, Ransomware, Computer Virus: you’ve probably heard one, if not all, of these terms since the inception of computers and the internet. If you haven’t dealt with any of the aforementioned terms yourself, you’ve probably seen it portrayed in movies with a menacing skull or pixelated screen. With the latest news on ransomware attacks in the United States, such as the Colonial Pipeline and Massachusetts Steamship Authority, it’s hard not to panic about your own cybersecurity and who from the dark web may be lurking, waiting to strike.
Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts a victim’s files (CSO Online). The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim to restore access to the data upon payment, typically in Bitcoin. Ransomware can be installed on a computer in a number of ways, such as a worm, a virus, or a trojan, all delivered via phishing, malvertising or other attack techniques. Regardless of how a victim’s computer is taken over, by the end of the process the files cannot be decrypted without a mathematical key known only by the attacker.
Malware is short for malicious software, which is a blanket term for viruses, worms, trojans and other harmful computer programs hackers use to wreak destruction and gain access to sensitive information. Software is identified as malware based on its intended use, rather than a particular technique or technology used to build it.
How Can You Protect Your Computer?
There are some immediate actions you can take such as:
- Keep your operating system up-to-date to ensure you have less vulnerabilities
- Do not install software unless you can verify the source, what it is, and what it does
- Install antivirus software to detect malicious programs as they arrive
- Back up your files often so you can regain access easily and damage is reduced
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How Can You Protect Your Website?
DNN (DotNetNuke) is the ultimate CMS to use when you want a secure website. For reference, the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and other government agencies have used DNN. Clarity Ventures is a certified and trusted DNN partner. When it comes to security and hardening, we’ve determined some best practices:
- Upgrade your DNN site to the latest version
- Secure your IIS servers
- DNN web application isolation
- Request filtering
- Authentication
Here are some generic steps you can take to secure your site further:
- Install a good firewall
- Have a strong password
- Install SSL and use HTTPS on your website
- Audit admin users carefully
- Use an activity log
- Take regular backups
- Implement 2FA
- Select a good web host
Clarity Can Help
Navigating the world of cybersecurity can be overwhelming when you aren’t sure which measures you need to take. Clarity Ventures is made up of industry experts with years of combined experience in development, ready to help secure and protect your existing site, or build you a new one. Chat with Jeremy in the chat below to receive instant access to our knowledge base, or request more information via our Get a Quote button.