Ransomware is a malicious software that encrypts files and demands a ransom to be paid to restore access to them. These attacks have become increasingly common in recent years, with high-profile incidents affecting businesses, hospitals, and even government agencies.
If you’ve been hit by ransomware, the first step is to disconnect your infected devices from your network. Then, you have two options: Pay the ransom and hope that the criminals will restore your data, or try to recover your files manually. Neither option is ideal, however, as paying the ransom encourages the criminals to continue their attacks, and manual recovery can be a time-consuming process with no guarantee of success.
Fortunately, there is another option that is becoming increasingly popular: Immutable backups. Immutable backups are a type of backup that cannot be modified or deleted, ensuring that your data is safe from ransomware attacks. Here are some tips to help you keep your data safe with immutable backups:
1. Choose a backup solution that supports immutable backups.
There are a plethora of backup solutions available, but not all of them support immutable backups. You need to choose a backup solution that has a built-in feature that creates immutable copies of your data. For example, backup solutions like Veeam, Rubrik, and Cohesity all offer immutable backups as a standard feature.
2. Store your backups offsite.
Backing up your data is only one part of the equation. If your backups are stored on the same network that was infected by ransomware, they can also be compromised. That’s why it’s essential to store your backups offsite, in a location that is not connected to your network. You can use cloud storage providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud to store your backups securely.
3. Use multiple backups.
Just like you should never put all your eggs in one basket, you should never rely solely on one backup. Even immutable backups can be lost or corrupted, so it’s best to have multiple copies of your data, stored in different locations. This ensures that you always have access to your data, even in the event of a ransomware attack.
4. Test your backups regularly.
Backing up your data is not enough – you need to ensure that you can recover it successfully when you need it. That’s why it’s essential to test your backups regularly, to ensure they are working correctly. Restore a few files and test them to make sure they are functional and can be used as needed.
In conclusion, ransomware attacks are becoming more sophisticated and more frequent, and they’re not going away anytime soon. The best way to protect yourself from these attacks is to implement a comprehensive backup and recovery plan, using immutable backups. Make sure you choose a backup solution that supports immutable backups, store your data offsite, use multiple backups, and test them regularly, and you’ll be in a much stronger position to protect your data from ransomware attacks.