Research and development experts at Eset, an Internet security company has disclosed that Ransomeware poses a major threat to organization as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While recommending some strict precautionary measures organization must take to stay safe, Eset noted that Ransomware can be distributed in a wide variety of ways, including corrupted spam email attachments, use of unsafe file downloads and visiting unsolicited/unsafe websites.
The Anti-Virus company warned that once the Ransomware is installed, it is designed to scan the victim’s device for the user-generated files and will then use a strong encryption algorithm to make the victim’s files inaccessible.
In addition, Eset headquartered in Bratislava, Slovakia strongly recommends that organisations follow the tips below to ensure the highest level of security on your IT Infrastructure.
They include:
- Ensure that all Endpoints and servers have the ESET Protection installed and updated at all times.
- Make sure your ESET software is upgraded to the latest version and has the latest Virus Signature Database updates.
- Install all security updates for the OS and all applications that are installed.
- Restrict RDP only to users who really need it, restrict RDP to specific IP addresses/ranges on a firewall, secure RDP using VPN or 2FA, using a non-standard port.
- Enable detection of potentially unsafe applications (to detect and block tools that could kill ESET).
- Setting a password to protect ESET settings and to prevent it from being disabled or uninstalled by unauthorized persons.
- Avoid disabling default settings (some users disable protection modules or add dangerous exclusions without realizing the impact on security).
- Ensure all endpoint users participate in ESET Free Cybersecurity Awareness Training.
- Implementing ESET Dynamic Threat Defence (Cloud Sandbox Solution), for protection against Zero-day threat.
- Back up crucial data on a regular basis to prevent data loss.