6 TIPSTO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST RANSOMWARE DON’T LET YOUR CRITICAL DATA BE HELD HOSTAGE

© 2016 Level 3 Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Level 3, Level 3 Communications, the Level 3 Communications Logo, the Level 3 logo and “Connecting and Protecting the Networked World” are either registered service marks or service marks of Level 3 Communications, LLC and/or one of its Affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Level 3 services are provided by wholly owned subsidiaries of Level 3 Communications, Inc. Any other service names, product names, company names or logos included herein are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. 16368381

UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMWith ransomware, no one size fits all - it doesn’t always gain access via the same route, or go after the same types of files and systems. Educate yourself about the various forms ransomware takes so you can be prepared.

Malware that doesn’t come in via email often relies on bugs in software and applications. Update software (and encourage employees to) and implement patches regularly.

PATCH MANAGEMENT

Users should be granted only the access they need to do their jobs, and only administrators should have administrator privileges.

LIMIT USER ACCESS

Content filters block samples of code deemed hazardous. Threat intelligence keeps track of websites that host malware.

INVEST IN CONTENT FILTERING THREAT INTELLIGENCE AND ANTI-MALWARE PROGRAMS

Data backups are critical to your ability to recover quickly from a successful ransomware attack. Provide your users the ability to easily and consistently backup their critical business data - and ensure they do it.

BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP

Ransomware is rampant, with damages expected to hit the $1 billion mark by the end of 2016. Assume you will be a target – any organization with valuable data is in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

UNDERSTAND THE MAGNITUDE OF THE THREAT