Ransomware attacks have succeeded despite the antivirus software in use by the thousands of firms. What else can you do to protect your firm beyond using antivirus software?
Everyone touts user education. That's important. In addition, you can install free, ransomware-specific protection on your Windows and Mac computers
No antivirus product has achieved perfection. Adding another line of defense specifically for ransomware makes sense. Ransomware affects more firms than all other types of malware.
A free product, Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware, holds a spot at the top of the list of free, ransomware-specific software for Windows and Mac computers. See: https://electrons.co/best-free-anti-ransomware-software-tools-windows (Note: I don't recommend Kaspersky products because of the US Government warnings.)
It takes a few steps to download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware. The company would like you to install the free trial of their paid business product. You need to download a Zip file of the MalwareBytes business product, open the Zip file, copy a particular installer file, and paste it into a folder.
Currently, the Zip file is Malwarebytes_Endpoint_Security_1.9.1.0018.zip. You can download it from here: http://downloads.malwarebytes.com/file/mbes_for_business
For Windows, the installer file is: mbarw-setup-business-0.9.18.806.msi
It is found inside the Zip file in this subfolder:
Malwarebytes_Endpoint_Security_1.9.1.0018\Unmanaged\Windows
Once you've copied the file out of the Zip file, just double-click it. It installs quickly and disappears into the Notification Area (lower right corner of your Windows desktop).
For Mac, the installer file is: Malwarebytes-Mac-3.7.32.2261.pkg
It is found inside the Zip file in this subfolder:
Malwarebytes_Endpoint_Security_1.9.1.0018.zip\Malwarebytes_Endpoint_Security_1.9.1.0018\Unmanaged\Mac\Real Time Protection
Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware gets along nicely with Webroot. To be cautious if you have a different antivirus program, you could add Malwarebytes to the list of programs excluded from scans and realtime checking.
It is worth taking the time to install Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware. Other free products aren't so effective, might annoy you with ads, or don't necessarily protect files outside of certain folders.
Take the time to add another defense to your computer. The next time you read about another firm hit by ransomware, you will feel better knowing you have another watchdog on duty.
Wells H. Anderson - 888-922-1120 - moc.mrifymeruces@ofni