Archives - Ransomware


Use a cloud-based solution for backups

While local backups are generally safe, sometimes, malware or ransomware can spread to the backed up files. Additionally, a USB drive or external hard drive could get lost or destroyed, taking all of your files with it. A cloud-based backup solution is an internet service that stores all of your files online, Total Defense internet […]

Is Your Data Safer in the Cloud or on Your Hard Drive?

Should you store your data on a hard drive or in the cloud?

Test that your backups are working properly

Backing up your data is important, but only if it’s being backed up correctly. If the backups are failing, you won’t be able to retrieve your documents, and you will have taken that precaution in vain. Test that your backups are working every so often by retrieving and opening a file. That way, if you […]

How ransomware works

Ransomware identifies the drives on an infected system and begins to encrypt the files within each drive. Ransomware generally adds an extension to the encrypted files, such as .aaa, .micro, .encrypted, .ttt, .xyz, .zzz, .locky, .crypt, .cryptolocker, .vault, or .petya, to show that the files have been encrypted—the file extension used is unique to the […]

Watch for ransomware delivery via phishing email

Ransomware is commonly delivered through phishing emails or via “drive-by downloads.” Phishing emails often appear as though they have been sent from a legitimate organization or someone known to the victim and entice the user to click on a malicious link or open a malicious attachment. A “drive-by download” is a program that is automatically […]

Back up your valuable data

Protect your valuable work, music, photos and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely. If you have a copy of your data and your device falls victim to ransomware, you will be able to restore the data from a backup. Use the 3-2-1 rule as a guide to backing up […]