As we have detailed to you in yesterday’s post, the WannaCry ransomware is still spreading and it is vital to know how you can protect yourself from the attacks.
First of all, know who all are at risk
The WannaCry ransomware is majorly targeting the following versions of Windows:
- Windows 8
- Windows XP
- Windows Server 2003
Though other versions of Windows seem to be safe, it is high time you have to open the Windows Update Center and make sure that all the security updates are installed on your systems.
How to handle the risk?
- If you receive an email attachment from any unknown source, do not download or open the attachment
- If you are familiar with the sender, but the attachment thumbnails looks odd to you, do not download or open it.
- Download and install the latest security patches for Windows 8, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003.
- Download and install a credible ransomware blocker since it is as critical as a standard antivirus software.
- Besides, blocking TCP port 445 can prevent the ransomware. Follow the Google port-blocking instructions for your specific router, if you aren’t sure.
- Use HTTPS sites instead of HTTP since all communications occurring between your browser and an HTTPS site are encrypted. When you are submitting any data to an HTTPS website, it cannot be read or modified by others. Check if the site URL starts with HTTPS.
- Device encryption makes sure that no meaningful data from your computer goes to the wrong hands, if hacked. Refer to guides like BitLocker (Windows) or FileVault (Mac) for further details.
- Select your VPN (Virtual Private Network) with care and configure it properly. This is must for a safe and secure login from anywhere.
- Exercise caution while giving apps permissions for location tracking, address book, microphone access, storing payment information (card details, bank preference etc.), or password information. Analyze whether you really need to grant such permissions to the connected devices.
Above all, it is important to make smart decisions about what information you need to share over digital channels, and what you should not. The points stated above explains some of the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity which we need to learn and establish to have a pleasant digital life.