Ransomware Readiness for Small Businesses

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. Attacks on small and mid-sized businesses have increased dramatically — small businesses are now the primary target because they typically have less security than large enterprises but still have valuable data.

How Ransomware Gets In

• Phishing emails — the #1 delivery method. An employee clicks a link or opens an attachment that looks legitimate
• Compromised remote desktop (RDP) — attackers brute-force RDP credentials, a common attack vector for remote workers
• Software vulnerabilities — unpatched systems have known vulnerabilities attackers actively exploit
• Malicious websites and drive-by downloads
• Compromised credentials from data breaches on other sites

How to Protect Your Business

• Maintain tested, offline backups — this is your single most important protection. If backups work, ransomware becomes an inconvenience instead of a catastrophe
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) — modern security tools detect ransomware behavior before it can encrypt files
• Train staff on phishing recognition — most attacks start with human error
• Keep all software patched and updated
• Implement multi-factor authentication on all accounts
• Segment your network so an infected device can't spread to everything

GlobalTSS implements all of these protections for managed IT clients as part of the standard service. If you're concerned about ransomware vulnerability, start with a free assessment.