An anti-ransomware tool is a type of software that is used to safeguard against ransomware. By facilitating the detection, prevention, and mitigation of ransomware attacks, anti-ransomware tools help ensure that devices, networks, and data remain protected against one of the most common dangers in the modern threat landscape.
What is ransomware and what risks does it pose?
Ransomware can be classified as a subset of malware (malicious software), which encompasses all deliberately intrusive, disruptive, and destructive software. Unlike most other types of malware, however, it is not designed to destroy or steal a victim’s data. Rather, ransomware works by locking the victim out of their system or encrypting their files. Once this has been achieved, the threat actor will then demand payment in exchange for restoring access to the data. Should the demands be refused, the threat actor may threaten to destroy the files or leak confidential data.
Ransomware attacks pose a serious threat and can be catastrophic if not dealt with correctly. Risks include operational disruption, data loss, financial losses, erosion of customer trust, and even legal ramifications if it is found that the victim’s cybersecurity measures were not in compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
How do anti-ransomware tools protect against ransomware?
Anti-ransomware tools are purpose-built to facilitate effective detection and response in the face of ransomware attacks. They apply several key techniques to fulfill this function:
Real-time monitoring: Anti-ransomware tools engage in continuous, real-time monitoring of systems. This enables them to keep track of resource usage, data access, authorization changes, and encryption processes so that they can identify signs of malicious activity early on and quarantine potential ransomware.
Air-gapped protection: Comprehensive anti-ransomware tools utilize air-gap technology, which isolates backup data from the user’s main system. This ensures that backups are safe from compromise and can be deployed reliably in the event of an attack.
Automated backup and recovery: Anti-ransomware tools automate the process of data backup and recovery. This ensures that files are backed up more regularly so that organizations can avoid paying ransoms and minimize potential data loss. Moreover, this automation facilitates the rapid restoration of data to reduce the downtime associated with ransomware attacks.
What is the difference between anti-ransomware and antivirus?
Anti-ransomware and antivirus are alike in that they are both tools that play important roles in ensuring comprehensive cybersecurity. However, there are several key distinctions to be drawn between them.
First and foremost, anti-ransomware and antivirus tools offer different scopes of protection. The former is specifically designed to combat a particular type of malware, whereas the latter addresses a wider range of threats, including viruses, worms, and trojans, among others. While antivirus can aid with the detection and quarantining of a broad spectrum of threats, however, it is not optimized to identify the distinct behavioral patterns of ransomware.
Furthermore, antivirus software lacks some of the additional functionalities of anti-ransomware tools. Although antivirus software can detect, quarantine, and delete compromised files in much the same way as anti-ransomware tools, they typically lack the air-gap technology and extensive recovery capabilities of anti-ransomware tools and so prove inadequate in the face of an attack. While antivirus solutions are a useful addition to any cybersecurity arsenal, they are not equipped to provide the comprehensive ransomware protection that purpose-built anti-ransomware tools do.
