What Ransomware means
Ransomware can halt a business for days or weeks. Offline or immutable backups, MFA, patching and staff training are the core defenses. Have an incident response plan ready before you need it.
Why it matters for your website
Ransomware can shut down your website, email and files until you pay or restore from backups. Even paying doesn't guarantee you get your data back, and attackers may still leak it. Good backups and security habits are what turn a disaster into an inconvenience.
Example
A small accounting firm's shared drive and website files are encrypted overnight. Because it kept offline backups, it restores everything in a day without paying.
Tips
- Keep backups that are stored separately and can't be changed by an attacker.
- Test restoring from backups so you know they actually work.
- Use MFA and keep software updated, since those block common entry points.
Common mistakes
- Keeping backups on the same server or network that gets encrypted.
- Having no plan for who to call and what to do if an attack happens.
Questions about Ransomware
What is Ransomware?
Malware that encrypts or steals a victim's data and demands payment to restore or not leak it.
Should I pay a ransomware demand?
Law enforcement generally advises against paying, since it doesn't guarantee recovery and funds more attacks. Contact law enforcement and a security expert before deciding anything.
Can ransomware infect a website?
Yes. Attackers can encrypt website files and databases on a server, or take down the systems that run your site. Off-site backups make recovery much easier.
