Ransomware? – Tips to Mitigate Against Ransomware

• May 13, 2021
• Kadian Douglas

What are some of the words that come to mind when you hear cybersecurity? Some of the responses I hear are phishing, malware, vulnerabilities, penetration test, etc. There is almost always a tie with “phishing” and “ransomware”. 

I presume that you are also aware of the most recent attack on one of the nation’s largest pipelines that carries gas from Texas to New York. This was also as a result of ransomware. 

On May 13, 2021 the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released some tips and tricks for dealing with ransomware. Please see the link below for additional information from the release. 

NIST Releases Tips and Tactics for Dealing With Ransomware | NIST 

• “Use antivirus software at all times  
• Keep all computers fully patched with security updates. 
• Use security products or services that block access to known ransomware sites on the internet. 
• Configure operating systems or use third-party software to allow only authorized applications  
• Restrict or prohibit use of personally owned devices  
• Use standard user accounts instead of accounts with administrative privileges whenever possible. 
• Avoid using personal applications and websites, such as email, chat and social media, on work computers. 
• Avoid opening files, clicking on links, etc. from unknown sources “ 

CLA can help with various network and vulnerability assessments as noted here. Please reach out with any questions. 

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