What Is the Best Program to Stop Ransomware?

Bitdefender is our top recommendation for preventing and removing ransomware, but there are other ransomware protection programs to consider as well. Check out our review of our top antivirus programs for a full range of selections.

Does Antivirus Protect Against Ransomware?

It depends on the antivirus solution, but all of the best ones can accurately detect and eliminate ransomware.

Can Windows Defender Block Ransomware?

Windows Defender is capable of scanning for malware and promptly removing it, which includes ransomware. Because no program is 100 percent secure, we advise implementing several ransomware protection measures in advance, even if you have Windows Defender on your system.

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Ransomware Protection Best Practices: Detection and Defense Tools 2024

Businesses have enough to worry about when it comes to protecting their data from cybercriminals. There is a thriving cybercrime industry on the dark web where hackers sell bundles of data stolen from company servers via malware and phishing techniques, so businesses pay a large price for not using adequate protections. Read on for our full ransomware protection best practices.

Written by Max Pitchkites (Writer)

Reviewed by Aleksander Hougen (Managing Editor)

Last Updated: 18 Apr'24 2024-04-18T03:19:43+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

Key Takeaways: Ransomeware Protection

Ransomware is a form of malware that makes your files inaccessible by encrypting them. Not only is the data under the attacker’s control, but it will also stop targeted businesses from operating.
Antivirus, backup and cloud storage are important ransomware protection tools for preventing and recovering from ransomware infections.
Paying a ransom does not guarantee that you will get your data back.
People are the weakest link in cybersecurity. A workforce well trained in cybersecurity best practices is the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

If malware and phishing weren’t enough, ransomware is an even more dangerous and profitable threat aimed at businesses. While a phishing campaign may result in the theft and exposure of company data, ransomware stops the business’ operations completely until the data is restored. These ransomware protection best practices can help protect against that.

What Is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts all of the files on an infected computer system so that the data can no longer be accessed. The data cannot be decrypted unless the target pays a ransom, usually requested in the form of cryptocurrency — at least, that’s what ransomware operators want their victims to think.

The paralyzing effect of ransomware is so devastating that business owners often give in and pay the ransom, but they usually don’t get their data back. There is great pressure to pay up when the company grinds to a halt, especially when the business’ operations directly affect the lives of its constituents. This is why hospitals, fire departments, police departments and other civic institutions are such lucrative targets.

Keep reading as we help you understand ransomware attacks a bit more and provide you with seven ransomware prevention best practices that will help you and your business stay safe.

Meet the experts

Max Pitchkites (Writer)

Max served as a member of the Computer Security Incident Response Team at Indiana University, where he was a cybersecurity writer. He made the decision to go freelance in 2021 and now writes in the tech niche for a number of clients, including Privacy.net and VPNoverview. His background in cybersecurity writing and research led him to Cloudwards in August 2021, where he reviews cloud-based security software like VPNs, password managers, secure browsers and more.

More about Max Pitchkites

Aleksander Hougen (Managing Editor)

Aleksander Hougen, the managing editor at Cloudwards, is a recognized expert in online security, merging his Postgraduate in software engineering with a passion for digital security. He excels in simplifying the complexities of secure cloud storage, online backup and VPNs, making them relatable for technology enthusiasts. His content often delves into the realms of cybersecurity, emphasizing data protection and internet safety. As a digital nomad, Aleksander’s global experiences enrich his perspectives on the evolving cybersecurity landscape, ensuring his writings are not just informative, but also underscore the importance of encryption and cyber safety measures in the digital world.

More about Aleksander Hougen

Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

09/27/2021 Facts checked

Refreshed our list of anti-ransomware tips and updated the article’s information on Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Acronis True Image, IDrive, Sync.com and pCloud.
11/30/2023

Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8, as well as its expansion of server presence to 105 countries, previously 94.
Updated IDrive’s pricing information.
updates

Why Do You Need Ransomware Protection?

Ransomware is powerful enough to bring entire companies down or at least inflict billions of dollars in damage. Large companies might survive a ransomware attack, but small- to medium-sized businesses usually cannot withstand the devastation of a ransomware attack. This was the fate of Colorado Timberline, a timber supplier that had to shut down in 2018.

Additionally, many ransomware operators are unwilling or unable to decrypt the data and simply run off with the money once paid, leaving the business in an even worse position than before. The FBI urges ransomware victims to refrain from paying the ransom.

“The FBI does not support paying a ransom in response to a ransomware attack. Paying a ransom doesn’t guarantee you or your organization will get any data back. It also encourages perpetrators to target more victims and offers an incentive for others to get involved in this type of illegal activity.”
FBI’s ransomware guidance webpage

If you’re a business owner or just someone with valuable data (as we all are), keeping yourself safe with ransomware protection can separate you, your employees and your family from bankruptcy.

Expert Opinion: How to Protect Against Ransomeware Attacks

Sandeep Babu is a distinguished writer within the cybersecurity industry, contributing in-depth analyses, insightful commentaries, and forward-thinking perspectives in several leading platforms in the tech industry, including Geekflare, Make Use Of (MUO) and Small Business Trends.

Ransomware threats can be categorized into two types. The first type involves the perpetrator demanding money in exchange for the decryption key to unlock your encrypted data. The second type consists of the attacker threatening to publicly release your data unless you pay them.

I use the SAFE strategy to protect from ransomware threats.

S — Secure backups of my sensitive data
A — Avoid clicking phishing emails
F — Frequently update my devices and software
E — Employ antivirus to mitigate ransomware threats real time

To back up my sensitive data, I follow the 3-2-1 data backup rule, which means having three copies of your data: two locally but on different media, and one offsite on a cloud service. All my devices and software are set to auto-update mode to install patches on time.

When it comes to antivirus, I use Bitdefender Total Security on all of my devices. It comes with ransomware detection capability.

What Is Anti-Ransomware Protection?

Anti-ransomware protection can refer to antivirus programs that scan and remove ransomware infections, or preemptive ransomware protection measures like backing up your data.

All the following tips are anti-ransomware protection that you can use to prevent ransomware, including best practices as well as free and paid tools for your devices.

7 Ransomware Protection Best Practices

The good news is that you can prevent ransomware attacks in the first place. We’ll go through seven ways to protect yourself against ransomware.

Ransomware operators are scheming day and night to create increasingly more sophisticated ransomware campaigns, but you will remain out of their reach as long as you stick to the fundamentals of ransomware attack prevention.

1. Use Technology Wisely

First and foremost, your business’ data security depends primarily on you and your employees’ prudential use of technology. Simple security habits like being cautious of suspicious links, emails and websites will avoid the majority of malware threats. These are simple anti-ransomware techniques that everyone should be educated on to prevent ransomware attacks.

2. Use a VPN

Using a VPN is another great first step toward avoiding ransomware . A virtual private network is a security tool that keeps your internet connection private by securing it with encryption and routing it through an intermediary server. VPNs keep your online activities from being monitored by your ISP, advertisers, hackers and government agencies.

3. Update Software on Your Computer and Mobile Devices

windows update — Regularly check for updates to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Naturally, some ransomware operators are clever enough to thwart the efforts of the most cautious computer user. Outdated software leaves unaddressed vulnerabilities in your system that ransomware operators rely on to infiltrate targeted networks.

4. Manage Permissions

Keep your employees’ permissions restricted to only the systems they need for their work. Most of your employees probably don’t need installation permission to do their work, and almost all of them don’t need administrative-level permissions.

Excessive permissions expand the cybercriminals’ attack vector, as a single compromised employee is all an attacker needs to launch a devastating ransomware attack.

5. Change Default Credentials & Use Strong Passwords

Most devices are either secured with easy-to-guess default passwords or no authentication at all. No matter what kind of device it is, make sure to set up a strong password on each of your devices as soon as you get it.

6. Backup Your Data

Whatever you do, always backup your data: it’s the number one way out of a ransomware attack. Although the remediation process can be costly and time-consuming, you will be able to get your systems up and running again without paying the ransomware operators or alerting the authorities.

Beware of local backups. If copies of your data are stored locally, they will be within the ransomware’s reach and be of no use, so take care to store your backups outside your network.

7. Use File-Versioning

File-versioning goes hand in hand with backup. Retaining each iteration of a file or document between edits creates a paper trail documenting each change. It’s a common practice in workplaces for editing files without altering them permanently, as an earlier version can be retrieved to reverse undesirable changes, including ransomware encryption.

The Best Ransomware Protection Software

When all else fails, your ransomware protection software will keep you from falling prey to the ransom menace. The four major types of software services that we’ll be focusing on here are antivirus, online backup, cloud storage software and VPNs.

Antivirus Tools – Avoid Ransomware Incidents

Good cybersecurity hygiene will go far, but it won’t be enough on its own. Even when you have a secure backup in place, it is always preferable to prevent your devices from being compromised in the first place. That’s why having a reliable antivirus program at all times is an essential practice to stop ransomware attacks.

Modern antivirus packages come with a suite of features for protecting desktops, mobile devices and web browsers from a wide range of malware threats. Some deals are tailored for individual use, while fuller antivirus and anti-malware bundles are designed to secure an entire businesses’ IT infrastructure.

Because there are different antivirus programs designed for different purposes, there isn’t just one “best” antivirus, although we have some recommended antivirus suites your business can rely on. Check out our top antivirus software choices for a more detailed analysis. For now, here’s a summary of some of our favorites.

Bitdefender

More Information About Bitdefender:

Pricing: Bitdefender Total Security starts at $36 per year
Website: bitdefender.com

Pros:

Detects most malware
Ransomware protection capabilities
Plenty of features
Anti-theft system
Rescue disk

Cons:

Detects false positives
Confusing pricing levels

Bitdefender consistently ranks among our favorite antivirus software for getting as close to a 100 percent malware detection rate as an antivirus solution can get.

While it does suffer from occasionally detecting false positives, Bitdefender is a solid antivirus protection featuring a long list of security features. This includes an anti-theft system, system optimization tools, file encryption, webcam and microphone protection, and even a rescue disk that will restore your device if it’s been fatally compromised.

Bitdefender’s standout features are its several anti-ransomware capabilities. Bitdefender automatically creates tamperproof backups of files most likely to be encrypted as soon as it detects a ransomware attack, and does so without creating shadow copies.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot of ground to cover on everything Bitdefender can do, so check out our full Bitdefender review here for more information.

Antivirus Free

Unlimited devices (Windows only)

FREE

Antivirus Plus

Pricing for 3 devices; Windows pricing options: 1, 3, 5 or 10 devices; price renews at $59.99; Mac pricing options: 1 or 3 devices. For 1 Mac device, the price is $29.99 (plus taxes) for the first year.

Key Takeaways: Ransomeware Protection

What Is Ransomware?

Why Do You Need Ransomware Protection?

Expert Opinion: How to Protect Against Ransomeware Attacks

What Is Anti-Ransomware Protection?

7 Ransomware Protection Best Practices

1. Use Technology Wisely

2. Use a VPN

3. Update Software on Your Computer and Mobile Devices

4. Manage Permissions

5. Change Default Credentials & Use Strong Passwords

6. Backup Your Data

7. Use File-Versioning

The Best Ransomware Protection Software

Antivirus Tools – Avoid Ransomware Incidents

Bitdefender

Kaspersky

Online Backup – Prevent Loss and Ransom Fines

Acronis Cyber Protect (Formerly Acronis True Image)

IDrive

Cloud Storage – Protect Data in a Safe Cloud

Sync.com

pCloud

Virtual Private Networks – Protect Your Privacy

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

Final Thoughts

FAQ: Ransomware Defense