Advanced Ransomware Protection

Mitigate ransomware attacks, block entry points, and contain lateral movement 

Defend Your Business Against Ransomware

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Building a Strategy to Prevent and Detect Attacks

Learn how to defend against ransomware attacks before they happen. In this on-demand session, Bob Erdman, Associate VP of Research & Development, breaks down the ransomware attack cycle, common entry points, and how security teams defend against threats. 

  

Enter your details to watch the full video. 

How Ransomware Attacks Work

Ransomware attacks ranges from simplified “ransomware in a box” to customized malware that can shut down networks, cripple financial systems, and incapacitate government services.

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Phase 1: Develop

Ransomware attacks typically progress from initial access to data encryption and ransom demands. Attackers often gain entry and move laterally using phishing, stolen credentials, or malicious downloads. 

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Phase 2: Deliver

Adversaries will launch ransomware campaigns, often perpetrating as a trusted colleague or partner to mask the attack.

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Phase 3: Demand

By masking as a trusted confidant, the recipient unsuspectedly opens the attachment where the ransomware is activated where the payment is demanded.

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Phase 4: Collect

As the ransomware is activated, locking up the victim’s system, the victim has no choice but to pay the ransom without ever knowing if they will regain control of their systems.

Complete Ransomware Protection with Fortra

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Detect Threats Wherever You Store Data  

Cybercriminals continually develop new tactics to trick users into downloading ransomware. Even experienced professionals may find it difficult to detect phishing. 

Fortra’s ransomware protection services detect threats and prevent display name deception, lookalike domains, spoofing, and hijacked sender accounts. 

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Stop Zero-Day Ransomware Attack 

Zero-day ransomware evades traditional defenses by employing unknown tactics and avoiding recognizable signatures. These attacks frequently bypass email gateways and legacy controls. 

Fortra ransomware solutions leverage behavioral analysis and advanced URL and attachment inspection to detect and block zero-day attacks before execution. 

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Automate Ransomware Response and Containment 

Employee-reported email threats can provide valuable intelligence but often overwhelm security teams with volume. 

Fortra automates triage and response, helping SOC teams contain threats faster. 

Fortra's Ransomware Defense

Proactively detect and prevent ransomware attacks with the most advanced solution available

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Stop Ransomware Attacks Before They Disrupt Your Business

Get expert ransomware defense to protect your systems, detect threats, and respond to attacks. 

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FAQs about ransomware protection

Ransomware protection combines different security tools to prevent, detect, and stop attacks before they can encrypt data or disrupt systems. These tools watch over email, web traffic, devices, and user actions to spot suspicious activity early. 

Advanced ransomware protection looks for patterns such as phishing, fake websites, and unusual file activity. These tools can block harmful links, stop unwanted downloads, and prevent ransomware from running. Many also use behavior analysis to catch new threats, so security teams can act before damage spreads. 

1. Avoid unverified links and downloads 

Ransomware often enters systems through malicious links in emails, messages, or compromised websites. Users should avoid clicking links or downloading files from unknown or untrusted sources. Even a single click can trigger a download that encrypts data and locks systems. 

2. Scan and filter email threats 

Email remains the most common delivery method for ransomware. Ransomware protection software should scan attachments, links, and embedded files before they reach users. Many attacks hide malware in documents, PDFs, or images that appear legitimate. Filtering these threats early reduces the chance of infection. 

3. Deploy endpoint protection and firewalls 

Firewalls inspect incoming and outgoing traffic to identify suspicious activity. Advanced ransomware defense tools can analyze file behavior and block known patterns before execution. Endpoint protection adds another layer by preventing unauthorized applications and blocking malicious processes on user devices. 

4. Restrict downloads to trusted sources 

Attackers often create fake websites or mimic legitimate brands to distribute malware. Users should only download files from verified domains and approved platforms. Security teams should also monitor for lookalike domains that attempt to trick employees. 

5. Maintain secure, isolated backups 

Backups reduce the impact of a successful ransomware attack. Organizations should store backups in secure locations that are not directly accessible from production systems. If an attack occurs, teams can restore critical data without paying a ransom. 

6. Secure remote access and public connections 

Public networks expose devices to interception and manipulation. A secure connection, such as an encrypted tunnel, protects data in transit and prevents attackers from inserting malicious payloads. Remote access should always require strong authentication and encryption. 

7. Use layered security controls 

No single tool can stop ransomware on its own. Organizations should combine email security, endpoint protection, phishing protection, and data protection tools to reduce risk at every stage of an attack. A layered approach improves detection and limits the spread of ransomware if it enters the environment. 

A ransomware attack is not over once systems are infected. Security teams can control threats, limit damage, and bring systems back online by following a clear response plan. 

1. Isolate affected systems immediately 


The first step is to contain the attack. Disconnect infected devices from the network immediately to prevent ransomware from spreading. This means turning off network connections, Wi-Fi, and any shared devices or storage. Quick isolation helps protect the rest of your systems. 

2. Identify the ransomware variant 


Security teams should determine what type of ransomware is involved as soon as possible. Some types have known behaviors or methods for unlocking files. Knowing the variant helps teams understand the attack and choose the best way to fix it. 

3. Remove the ransomware safely 

Only start ransomware removal after you have isolated the system and identified the threat. If you remove it too soon, it could spread or make analysis harder. Once the system is safe, use ransomware solutions to delete harmful files and stop the malware from coming back. 

4. Recover data from secure backups 


After cleaning the systems, teams should bring back data from backups. Reliable, isolated backups let organizations recover without paying a ransom. Recovery plans should prioritize the most critical systems to keep the business running and reduce downtime. 

5. Do not pay the ransom 


Paying the ransom does not mean you will get your data back, and it often leads to more attacks. It can also make your organization a target again. A good response plan should focus on stopping the ransomware attack and recovering, not on paying or negotiating. 

6. Strengthen defenses after the attack 


After recovery, teams should look at how the attack got in. Fixing weak spots in email security, endpoint protection, and access controls lowers the chance of future attacks. Using advanced ransomware protection services helps protect your systems and makes them resistant. 

Ransomware attacks often exploit a few common entry points to install malware and gain access to systems. These methods target users, devices, and network vulnerabilities. 

The most common ransomware attack methods include: 

  • Phishing emails trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments. 

  • Malicious websites and drive-by downloads that install ransomware when users visit compromised or fake sites’ 

  • Exploiting software vulnerabilities in unpatched systems, applications, or operating systems. 

  • Remote access attacks that target weak or exposed credentials, such as unsecured RDP connections. 

  • Compromised credentials are used to access systems and deploy ransomware from within the network. 

Attackers often combine these methods with social engineering to increase success rates. The best ransomware protection services secure each of these entry points to reduce risk and prevent attacks before they begin.

Enterprise ransomware protection solutions should detect threats early, stop attacks before they occur, and enable quick recovery. The best solutions use several layers of security to lower risk and limit damage. 

Key capabilities to look for include: 

  • Email and phishing protection to block common ransomware delivery methods. 

  • Endpoint protection to prevent malicious applications and processes. 

  • Threat detection and monitoring to identify suspicious behavior in real time. 

  • Incident response support to contain threats and guide remediation. 

  • Integration across data security tools to provide visibility and coordinated ransomware defense. 

Ransomware solutions that bring these capabilities together help organizations reduce exposure, respond faster, and maintain continuity during an attack.