Worried about ransomware?

Fennel Aurora, an advisor at F-Secure, a Finnish cybersecurity and privacy company, shared these 5 tips with Delano on how to help prevent attacks:

1. Keep your devices updated. People often ignore software update reminders, but they are there to plug the latest security holes which have been found in the software. Until you have updated your software, you’re at risk.

2. Back up your devices and store them offline. This way, if ransomware hits, you have lost nothing. You have the option of restoring from the backup, rather than being forced into a corner where you have to pay the ransom.

3. Make sure the security software you are using protects against all known ransomware threats and it can block zero-day threats.

4. Be extra careful with email attachments, especially “.zip” files and Office documents. Don’t open email attachments that are sent by someone you don’t know. Also, disable macro scripts from any Office files you receive via email.

5. Limit the use of browser plugins. Disable commonly exploited plugins, such as Flash Player and Silverlight when you’re not using them. You can do this through your web browser under plugin settings.

Recommendations contributed by Fennel Aurora at F-Secure. This article originally appeared in Delano magazine’s Winter 2020 edition. Subscribe to receive the magazine at your home or office.