A Server Room including all servers is the center of any business operations where all the critical data is stored securely. Servers allow data transfer, file transfers to other connected networks. Due to this core function, Ransomware cyber attackers make this their point of entry into the server and make attacks.
What is Ransomware?
It’s malicious software or malware that encrypts your server data preventing user access and demands for ransom payment to decrypt files. Many SMEs pay ransoms as they don’t invest in data backup and they have no options left for data recovery. With a few simple practices, a lot of business organizations can avoid such Ransomware without much or zero investment.
How to secure?
With the latest malware and their behaviors, the methods of prevention and avoidance beforehand from the infectious malware like Ransomware are listed below. Check out these best practices and follow them to rescue your server from Ransomware.
Checkout High End servers that must be secured with the below steps : Branded Servers
Install Anti-Ransomware Tool:
An Anti-Ransomware tool is a free security tool that protects your server against Ransomware attacks. Ransomware is a malicious software that blocks access to your server and data. The Anti-Ransomware tool is designed to secure against existing and emerging ransomware attacks. It’s available for completely free download and easy to use. Anti-Ransomware Tool keeps your data safe from encryption, CTB-Locker, Locky, Petya and TestaCrypt.
Maintain Server Antivirus & firewall with latest updates:
Always maintain the latest versions of Antivirus and firewall systems on your server to protect from Ransomware and other malware. Many popular antivirus brands are available on market like McAfee, KasperSky, Norton, ESET, etc. and Firewall brands like Cisco, Fortinet, Sophos and Juniper to offer virus security. Try to install the latest updates of antivirus and firewalls to offer high-end protection services like blacklisting, HIPS, Whitelist and change control.
Keep up Latest backups in out if server:
Keeping a backup of the latest server critical data is very crucial to every business, thus eliminating the risk of ransomware attacks. Various data backup options like a local drive, cloud storage, NAS, SAN, and Google drive are available to provide multiple storage types and redundant data sets to recover from. Local drive or external backup is handy and easy to transport along with you, the second option is the constant backup to one drive offering amazing cloud back up capability and third backup to network server providing ample redundancy. Finally, you will have three data sets for possible recovery.
Also See: Storage for backup
Frequent OS updates:
The foremost thing to do to protect your server is to update your server operating system regularly. Older OS versions like Windows 2003 are always at higher risk of Ransomware or any other malware. So try updating your OS to Windows 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 or 2019 with the latest release Microsoft Update to safeguard your server from attacks. You can update as soon as possible either manually or download the patch or update the server to avoid infections from Ransomware. Microsoft has also released the latest security updates and patches for all server versions include Dell PowerEdge Servers & HP Proliant Servers & ThinkCenter , to offer advanced server security to your windows server. Try updating these frequently without fail for data security.
Enable Windows Defender:
Windows Defender offers the latest anti-virus and firewall protection to keep your server safe by scanning everything you run on your server. Enable windows defender to protect your server by scanning for viruses, malware and security threats using real-time protection. Regularly schedule a scan in windows defender for server scanning to keep it safe. Also, turn on windows defender real-time protection.
Practice network segmentation to block cyber-attacks and limit the effects of miscellaneous software like Ransomware. Network segmentation is the best action to be followed when it is not possible to install all the latest released security updates. With network segmentation, your business computer network is divided into sub-networks to ensure one infected network doesn’t affect the other network. The major advantage of network segmentation is boosting up server performance and improved security.
Secure Server Access:
The basic security tip for server security is to restrict access to your servers with strong passwords on any accounts, before enabling remote desktop. Passwords are the front screen of defense in securing your server data. IP access control lists also help acquire secure server access by filtering network traffic, authenticating incoming requests, restricting access to the network and securing traffic from leaving the network.
