Ransomware defense.

whattochoose

In view of the NHS ransomware attacks today, which I believe have also affected many other organisations in the world, can members recommend the best defense when guarding one's own PC?
I have Kaspersky Internet Security and use Malwarebytes (free version) randomly, but is this enough?
Thank you.

I_have_spoken

Some things I do

0) My daily use account has standard user privileges to minimise what malware can do without admin rights.

1) Router defaults to using the free https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/ for DNS, which will filter and block attempts to get to sources of malware

2) All email is routed via a gmail account which filters a most spam

3) Outlook set to not download images

4) Word set to open email attachments in protected mode so won't run macros

5) Adblock and Ghostery installed in Chrome to block active content

And keep everything up-to-date with patches, inc. router

SouthUKMan

Kaspersky is constantly rated one of the best anti virus products on the market. Malwarebytes is also useful and has proved itself over the years.

Remember, you should only have one anti virus product installed on your computer as you can open yourself up to causing more issues than you might solve. False positives, etc.

You could perform an online / cloud scan every now and then. I often use Trend Micro's Housecall.

esuhl

If you keep Windows updated, you should already be patched against the worm that this ransomware uses as its main method of propagation. (It was released last March.)

I think most of the well-known antiviruses are fairly similar in what they will protect you against. Personally I use Avast.

MalwareBytes is great for the odd scan, but you could also install SpywareBlaster, which blocks known malicious sites in popular web browsers:

https://www.brightfort.com/spywareblaster.html

If you use an adblocker, you can often use it to block known malware sites by subscribing to the relevant lists. UBlock Origin is a good adblocker if you don't have one. (NB This is NOT the same as UBlock, which is a different adblocker).

https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock

grumpycrab

Most people just want an all-in-one solution for AV, malware, adware, ransomware. Whether that is achievable is questionable. I'll suggest Bitdefender (their AV 2017 PLUS product can be -paid for- for about a tenner). Although I don't personally use the Ransomware functionality, its described here :-
https://www.bitdefender.com/media/materials/user-guide/2017/en-US/AntivirusPlus/current/html/ransomware.html

PS. I do suggest that your backup policy should include an "air-gap"; IE one set of backed-up files should be separate from your computer - so that in the event of a ransom-ware attack you have... a backup.

debitcardmayhem

Best defence is regular backups of your stuff onto various media which you don't leave attached to your pc... simple but effective

S0litaire

oh and run Linux... :P
*runs away giggling!*

Neil_Jones

1) Use common sense. Don't open email attachments from Great Aunt Mary that you have any doubt over whatsoever.

2) Use common sense. Don't click "yes" on everything that comes up on screen no matter how good the "deal" is.

3) Use common sense. If in doubt, don't. You don't cross the road without looking, why click on stuff without reading?

4) Use common sense.

Did I mention use common sense?

esuhl

S0litaire wrote: »

oh and run Linux... :P
*runs away giggling!*

Oh, god! Don't tempt fate!

waamo

whattochoose wrote: »

In view of the NHS ransomware attacks today, which I believe have also affected many other organisations in the world, can members recommend the best defense when guarding one's own PC?
I have Kaspersky Internet Security and use Malwarebytes (free version) randomly, but is this enough?
Thank you.

Stop watching "adult" entertainment.

System

whattochoose wrote: »

In view of the NHS ransomware attacks today, which I believe have also affected many other organisations in the world, can members recommend the best defense when guarding one's own PC?

Update your software. Microsoft fixed the exploit and pushed the fix in March's Patch Tuesday so anyone who updated their PC can't be affected by the ransomware that affected the NHS.

The one announced last week was fixed last week and updates sent out of normal routine to those with Windows Update turned on.