Basic Recommendations to Avoid Ransomware Attacks

Given the significant increase in ransomware attacks and considering that we are nearing the holiday season, a period during which there is typically an increase of e-mail greetings that include attachments, LACNIC reminds you that:

Ransomware is a type of malware that infects a computer, encrypting certain files and therefore making them inaccessible to the user until a ransom is paid to decrypt them.

If faced with this situation, LACNIC recommends:

• Avoid opening files and/or links from unknown sources, whether you have received them via email or downloaded them from a website you don’t trust
• Avoid downloading any type of software from unofficial sites, as this is one of the most common forms of malware distribution
• Regularly backup up the information on your organization’s systems. This will allow you to recover them in case of an attack
• Keep the backup system separate
• Always update your systems to the latest available version. Attacks often exploit the vulnerabilities of outdated or obsolete software
• Isolate infected devices from the network
• Do not pay the ransom

Remember:

A vulnerability that is quickly detected, reported and fixed results in significant savings in terms of both financial and human resources and limits potential damages, as essential services can only be provided with fully operational infrastructure.