How To Avoid Ransomware?

Updated on September 23, 2026, by Xcitium

How Can You Avoid Ransomware?

To avoid ransomware, keep operating systems and applications updated, use reputable endpoint security, avoid suspicious links and attachments, enable multi-factor authentication, restrict administrative privileges, secure remote access, and maintain tested offline or isolated backups. Businesses should also use vulnerability management, endpoint detection, application controls, network segmentation, and an incident response plan.

Ransomware is a type of malware that freezes (encrypts) the victim’s computer and demands a ransom (which costs a couple of hundred to thousands of dollars) to decrypt it.

Both the individual users and organizations (servers used by government agencies, financial institutions, IT firms and healthcare providers) are all at risk of ransomware attacks.

Below are some tips to help you combat ransomware attacks,

For Individual Users (consumers):

#Avoid Visiting Suspicious Websites

Refrain from visiting unsafe, suspicious websites as it can lead to the intrusion of ransomware. Make sure to double-check the sites that you visit is safe or not. Be cautious when opening e-mails or attachments from unknown sources.

#Always Back Up Your Files

Backups prove to be useful at times of ransomware attacks. By having offline copies of your important files, you can safeguard your precious data from ransomware scams. Even if targeted, you don’t have to worry about the threats posed by the cybercriminals.

#Enable Popup Blockers

Popups are not only annoying they can also be malicious at times, redirecting you to malicious and fake websites. Enable popup blockers to avert unwanted or misleading advertisements, popups, and other browser malware.

#Keep Your Computer Up To Date

Software updates are critical for your computer security. Having an up-to-date security software, web browser and operating system can protect your computer against ransomware and other online threats. To ensure your computer receives updates as and when they are available, turn on automatic updates.

For Businesses (Organizations):

#Educate Your Employees

Employees can serve as the first line of defense against ransomware and other online threats. They can actively help prevent malware from infiltrating the organization’s network and computers. A solid security program along with employee education about the safe practices and responses can help avert ransomware attacks.

#Enforce Strict Controls On Privileged Accounts

Network devices are more prone to malware threats including ransomware attacks. Restrict users of privileged account from installing and running software applications on network devices. This can significantly limit the exposure of corporate networks to malware.

#Have A Proper Data Backup And Recovery Plan

Backups are crucial for reducing the impact of potential ransomware threats. Devise a proper data backup and recovery plan. Backup critical corporate-data on a separate device or offline storage drives to access it in the event of a ransomware attack.

#Make Sure All The Corporate-Connected Devices Are Up To Date

Software updates and patches are crucial for any organizations. Ensure all the corporate-connected devices are up to date and the endpoint security solutions are set to update and perform regular malware scans automatically.

When it comes to an organization’s security, antivirus products are not a viable option. The ideal way to disarm even the potent malware is to have an advanced endpoint protection system. Xcitium Advanced Endpoint protection (AEP) is such a solution which provides real-time protection for all of your endpoints.

Xcitium AEP isolates malware (including ransomware) from penetrating your company’s local area network at the device layer and executes them in an isolated or restricted system environment. It is the most intelligent endpoint protection solution that offers multiple layers of protection against both known and unknown threats.

Get Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection today and secure your endpoints against ransomware and other malware threats.

15 Ways to Avoid Ransomware

1. Keep operating systems and software updated.
2. Back up important data regularly.
3. Keep critical backups isolated from production systems.
4. Use endpoint security and anti-malware protection.
5. Avoid suspicious links and email attachments.
6. Enable multi-factor authentication.
7. Use strong, unique passwords.
8. Limit administrator and privileged accounts.
9. Secure remote-access services.
10. Scan for and patch vulnerabilities.
11. Use application controls or allowlisting.
12. Segment important networks and systems.
13. Train employees to recognize phishing.
14. Monitor endpoints for suspicious behavior.
15. Create and test a ransomware response plan.

No single security control can prevent every ransomware attack. Layering preventive, detection, containment, and recovery controls provides stronger protection.

1. Keep Your Operating System and Software Updated

Ransomware attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, internet-facing systems, and other software.

Enable automatic security updates where appropriate and prioritize patches for:

• Operating systems
• Web browsers
• Office applications
• VPN software
• Remote-access tools
• Network appliances
• Server applications
• Security products
• Internet-facing systems

Businesses should maintain an inventory of assets and use vulnerability scanning to identify systems requiring remediation.

2. Back Up Important Files Regularly

Reliable backups can reduce the impact of ransomware by providing another recovery option if production files become encrypted or deleted.

Back up critical:

• Business documents
• Databases
• Customer information
• Configuration files
• Application data
• System images
• Personal files

However, simply having a backup is not enough.

Organizations should regularly test whether their backups can actually be restored.

3. Keep Backups Isolated and Protected

Some ransomware attacks attempt to locate, encrypt, or delete accessible backups before encrypting production systems.

Protect important backups using controls such as:

• Offline backup copies
• Isolated backup environments
• Encryption
• Access controls
• Separate credentials
• Immutable or object-locked storage where appropriate
• Versioning
• Tested restoration procedures

Avoid relying solely on backup storage that is continuously accessible from ordinary user accounts or compromised systems.

4. Use Endpoint Security

Endpoint security can help detect and stop malware and suspicious activity before ransomware causes widespread damage.

Protection may include:

• Anti-malware scanning
• Real-time monitoring
• Behavioral detection
• Endpoint detection and response
• Application control
• Threat intelligence
• Automated containment
• Investigation capabilities

For organizations, centrally managed endpoint security also improves visibility across laptops, desktops, servers, and other managed endpoints.

5. Be Careful With Email Attachments and Links

Phishing remains an important route for credential theft and malware delivery.

Be suspicious of messages that:

• Create unnecessary urgency
• Ask you to open unexpected attachments
• Request passwords
• Ask you to enable macros
• Contain unfamiliar links
• Pretend to be invoices or delivery notices
• Request unusual financial actions
• Come from look-alike domains

Verify unusual requests through a separate trusted communication channel.

6. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Passwords alone may not be sufficient if credentials are stolen through phishing, malware, password reuse, or another compromise.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, especially for:

• Email accounts
• VPNs
• Remote-access services
• Administrator accounts
• Cloud applications
• Critical business systems

Organizations should prefer phishing-resistant authentication methods where supported.

7. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Do not reuse the same password across multiple services.

A compromised password can give attackers access to additional accounts if credentials are reused.

Good password practices include:

• Use unique passwords for important accounts.
• Use sufficiently long passwords.
• Use a reputable password manager where appropriate.
• Change credentials when compromise is suspected.
• Disable unused accounts.
• Monitor for compromised credentials.

Passwords should be combined with MFA rather than treated as the only security control.

8. Limit Administrator Privileges

Ransomware can become significantly more damaging when attackers obtain highly privileged credentials.

Follow the principle of least privilege:

• Give users only the access required for their jobs.
• Separate normal and administrative accounts.
• Limit local administrator rights.
• Regularly review privileged groups.
• Remove unnecessary accounts.
• Restrict software installation.
• Monitor privileged-account activity.

Businesses should also promptly revoke access when employees or contractors no longer require it.

9. Secure Remote Access

Remote-access services can become ransomware entry points when they are exposed, misconfigured, unpatched, or protected by compromised credentials.

To reduce risk:

• Avoid unnecessarily exposing remote services to the internet.
• Require MFA.
• Apply security patches promptly.
• Restrict access to authorized users.
• Monitor authentication attempts.
• Disable unused remote services.
• Apply network controls to restrict access.

Remote Desktop Protocol and similar services should not simply be exposed to the public internet without appropriate safeguards.

10. Scan for Vulnerabilities

Organizations should regularly identify vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.

A vulnerability-management program should include:

1. Asset discovery.
2. Vulnerability scanning.
3. Risk-based prioritization.
4. Patch deployment.
5. Configuration remediation.
6. Verification through rescanning.

Give additional attention to vulnerabilities affecting internet-facing devices and critical infrastructure.

11. Control Which Applications Can Run

Application control can reduce opportunities for unauthorized executables, scripts, and other unwanted software to run.

Businesses can use:

• Application allowlisting
• Execution policies
• Endpoint controls
• Script restrictions
• Software inventory
• Privilege restrictions

Allowlisting takes a different approach from simply trying to identify every malicious program: organizations define what is authorized to execute and restrict unauthorized software.

12. Segment Your Network

Network segmentation can help restrict an attacker’s ability to move between systems.

Instead of allowing every endpoint to communicate freely with every other resource, organizations can separate:

• User workstations
• Servers
• Backup infrastructure
• Administrative systems
• Critical applications
• Production environments
• Guest networks

Segmentation does not eliminate ransomware, but it can help limit lateral movement and reduce the potential blast radius of a compromise.

13. Train Employees to Recognize Ransomware Risks

Security awareness training should teach employees how ransomware attacks can begin.

Employees should know how to:

• Identify suspicious emails
• Recognize phishing websites
• Inspect unexpected attachments
• Report suspicious messages
• Avoid unknown software
• Protect credentials
• Respond to MFA prompts
• Report unusual computer behavior quickly

Training should be reinforced periodically rather than treated as a one-time exercise.

14. Monitor for Suspicious Activity

Modern ransomware incidents may involve significant attacker activity before files are encrypted.

Potential warning signs can include:

• Unusual administrator-account activity
• Unexpected remote logins
• Security tools being disabled
• Unusual scripting activity
• Large numbers of file changes
• Attempts to access backups
• Credential dumping
• Unexpected software deployment
• Suspicious lateral movement
• Unusual network connections

Endpoint detection and response can help security teams investigate suspicious activity before or during an attack.

15. Create a Ransomware Incident Response Plan

Organizations should know what to do before ransomware appears.

A ransomware response plan should identify:

• Who declares an incident
• Who isolates affected systems
• How employees report incidents
• Who contacts leadership
• How backups are recovered
• How evidence is preserved
• How credentials are reset
• How business operations continue
• When external incident responders are contacted
• Applicable notification and reporting procedures

Test the plan through exercises so teams know their responsibilities.

Ransomware Prevention Checklist

Can Antivirus Prevent Ransomware?

Antivirus can help detect known malware, but ransomware prevention should not depend on antivirus alone.

A stronger defense combines:

• Endpoint protection
• Behavioral detection
• EDR
• Application control
• Vulnerability management
• MFA
• Least privilege
• Secure backups
• Network controls
• Security monitoring

Modern ransomware operations may involve stolen credentials and legitimate administrative tools as well as malicious executables.

Do Backups Prevent Ransomware?

Backups do not prevent ransomware from infecting a computer, but they can significantly improve recovery.

Ransomware attackers may attempt to encrypt or delete accessible backups. For this reason, critical backups should be appropriately isolated, protected from unauthorized modification, and regularly tested.

A backup that cannot be restored should not be considered a reliable recovery strategy.

How Can Businesses Avoid Ransomware?

Businesses should combine prevention, detection, containment, and recovery controls.

A practical ransomware defense program includes:

Prevent

Patch vulnerabilities, secure email, enforce MFA, restrict privileges, protect remote access, and control applications.

Detect

Use endpoint monitoring, EDR, centralized logging, threat detection, and security alerts.

Contain

Segment networks and provide mechanisms to rapidly isolate compromised endpoints.

Recover

Maintain protected backups, test restoration procedures, and maintain an incident response and business continuity plan.

Organizations should assume that some malicious files or activities may evade initial preventive controls and design defenses that can detect and contain suspicious behavior before widespread damage occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I avoid ransomware?

Keep software updated, avoid suspicious links, use endpoint security, enable MFA, and maintain protected backups.

What is the best way to prevent ransomware?

Use layered security combining patching, MFA, endpoint protection, backups, least privilege, and monitoring.

Can antivirus stop ransomware?

It can help, but antivirus alone cannot prevent every ransomware attack.

Does MFA prevent ransomware?

MFA can reduce attacks involving stolen credentials, but it should be combined with other security controls.

Can backups protect against ransomware?

Backups support recovery, but they should be isolated and protected so ransomware cannot modify them.

Should I open unexpected email attachments?

No. Verify unexpected attachments and links before opening them.

Can ransomware spread through a network?

Yes. Attackers can use compromised credentials and network access to move between systems.

Does updating Windows prevent ransomware?

Updates reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities, but they are only one part of ransomware prevention.

What should I do if ransomware is detected?

Isolate affected systems immediately and follow your organization’s incident response process.

Should businesses use EDR for ransomware?

EDR can help detect, investigate, and respond to suspicious endpoint activity associated with ransomware attacks.

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Related Sources:

How Does Ransomware Get On Your Computer

How Ransomware Spreads