Ransomware is malware that encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. It’s not a sophisticated-enterprise-only problem. Small businesses account for the majority of ransomware incidents because attackers target the path of least resistance — and small businesses typically have weaker defenses.
How Ransomware Gets In
The most common entry points are:
- Phishing emails — a user clicks a malicious link or attachment
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) exposed to the internet with weak credentials
- Unpatched software vulnerabilities — attackers exploit known security holes in outdated software
- Compromised credentials — stolen passwords used to log in to cloud services or VPNs
The good news: these entry points are well-understood and defensible. Most ransomware incidents aren’t sophisticated operations — they’re opportunistic attacks exploiting preventable gaps.
What Actually Prevents Ransomware
In order of impact:
1. Email Security and Anti-Phishing
Since phishing is the most common entry point, strong email security filtering is your first line of defense. Advanced email security goes beyond spam filtering — it sandboxes suspicious attachments, checks URLs in real time, and catches impersonation attempts.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication Everywhere
If an attacker gets your password, MFA stops them from using it. Enable MFA on Microsoft 365, your VPN, any cloud services, and your network infrastructure. This is the highest-impact, lowest-cost security control available.
3. Patch Management
Keep operating systems and software current. A high percentage of ransomware exploits are using vulnerabilities that have known patches — the patch just wasn’t applied. Managed IT providers handle this automatically.
4. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR monitors for ransomware-like behavior — mass file encryption, rapid lateral movement — and can stop an attack in progress before it encrypts everything.
5. Tested, Offline Backups
Even with all of the above, assume something might get through. Backups are your recovery plan. The key word is ‘tested’ — knowing that backups exist is not the same as knowing that recovery works. And backups need to be isolated from your network so ransomware can’t encrypt them too.
What to Do If You Get Hit
Immediately disconnect affected systems from the network to stop lateral spread. Do not attempt to pay the ransom without consulting legal and IT counsel — there are legal implications, and payment doesn’t guarantee recovery. Contact your IT provider and document everything. File a report with the FBI’s IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center).
Related Resources from ABS
Is Your Business Protected?
ABS provides managed cybersecurity for Tallahassee businesses including email security, EDR, MFA setup, and backup management. We’ll tell you where your gaps are.