What is ransomware and how can I reduce the risk?

Ransomware disrupts access to systems or data and often includes data theft.

Answer

Ransomware is malicious software used to encrypt systems, interrupt operations, or pressure victims by threatening to release stolen data. Risk is reduced through layered controls: maintained backups, rapid patching, endpoint detection, email filtering, limited administrative access, MFA, network segmentation, and practiced incident-response procedures.