Ransomware is malware that infects computer systems through various means like phishing and visiting malicious websites. A ransomware attack encrypts the files in the victims’ computer and demands a ransom to get the data back. There are two types of ransomware: Crypto ransomware, which encrypts files, and Locker ransomware, which locks the victims’ device.
Ransomware attacks are one of the major cyber security threats worldwide, increasing yearly. In 2021, the number of ransomware incidents increased by 62%. Furthermore, the ransomware-as-a-service, or RaaS, has doubled after the Covid-19 pandemic. Ransomware attacks can not only incur substantial financial losses and damage the reputation of the company.
Therefore, protection against ransomware is critical for any organization exposed to the internet. A ransomware solution can provide you with many benefits. For instance, it can identify ransomware attacks in real-time, prevent any potential attacks, and clean out the existing ransomware. Nonetheless, there are a few things to consider if you are looking for a proper ransomware protection solution, such as its scanning options, features, pricing, and detection rate. This article reviews the top ten ransomware solutions.
3 Examples of Recent Ransomware Attacks
So far, the world has seen a large number of ransomware attacks. The following are the three major high-profile ransomware attacks and their consequences.
1. The Netwalker attack on The University of California at San Francisco
The University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) was attacked by the ransomware group Netwalker on June 3, 2020. They encrypted its COVID-19 research-related files. While the initial ransom demand was $3 million, the university negotiated it to $1.14 million.
2. Colonial Pipeline
The Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in the US had to shut down its largest pipelines, causing gas shortages and widespread panic. The attack happened due to the lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) in its legacy VPN profile. Colonial Pipeline had to pay a $5 million ransom to continue its operations and reduce the gas shortage.
3. MediaMarkt
MediaMarkt, the electronics retailer in Europe, was attacked by Hive ransomware in early November 2021. It encrypted more than 3100 servers and workstations, causing the company to shut down its IT systems to prevent the further spread of ransomware. MediaMarket could not accept credit cards or print receipts through their cash registers as a result of this attack.
10 Ransomware Protection Solutions for Enterprises
There are many ransomware protection solutions on the market. This section reviews the top ten ransomware protection solutions with their features, pricing, and downsides.
1. Sentinel One
SentinelOne Singularity Platform is an AI-based all-in-one security solution that protects against ransomware attacks, endpoints, IoT devices, cloud workloads, containers, etc. Its AI engine can detect ransomware and malicious behavior in real-time. Moreover, the embedded AI Threat Intelligence and Threat Indicators help remediate security attacks. The solution has a lightweight installation and an intuitive interface.
Sentinel One is best suited if you have a wide range of devices, endpoints, and networks to protect against ransomware. However, one drawback of this product is its high false-positive rate, which can mark even legitimate applications as suspicious.
Pricing :
SentinelOne offers three packages for the Singularity Platform.
- SIngularity Core : $6 per agent/month
- SIngularity Control: $8 per agent/month
- SIngularity Complete: $12 per agent/month
2. Cynet
Packed with many features, Cynet offers comprehensive multi-layered protection against ransomware. Its layered protection components provide multiple, coordinated detections across endpoints, networks, and users. Additionally, it can find memory strings with ransomware protection against even unknown ransomware. Their cybersecurity research and expert team provide 24/7 support, monitor the environment, and identify potential ransomware threats.
A few issues with the solution have been reported so far. For instance, problems with memory utilization, no support for mobile platforms, issues with reporting, etc. However, overall, the product is suited for anyone who needs multilayered ransomware protection.
3. Acronis Ransomware Protection
Acronis provides advanced ransomware protection. Its robust self-defense mechanism prevents criminals from disrupting applications and backup file content. It saves the master boot record of Windows computers by actively monitoring it and preventing any illegitimate changes by malware. Furthermore, it can detect new threats based on existing threats and adjusts the false-positive rates. Acronis Active Protection allows you to specify which programs can perform specific tasks, preventing unauthorized actions. However, Acronis ransomware protection only supports Windows and cannot block all malware.
4. CybeReady
The most effective way to prevent ransomware attacks is to be aware of how ransomware can be injected into your systems and how to prevent them. CybeReady is not a typical solution for ransomware protection. Yet, it helps companies manage their defenses by training staff and making them aware of cyber security threats. This fully-automated cybersecurity awareness solution not only makes the training easier but is also an engaging experience for employees. You can use it to simulate phishing, one of the most common ways of spreading ransomware. The training sessions can be personalized according to the role, education, and performance.
The CybeReady security training platform is based on data science. It guarantees to change employee behavior, decrease high-risk groups, and increase employee resilience scores within a year.
5. Cybereason
The Cybereason Defense Platform automatically detects a malware, including ransomware, across all endpoints within the network. When it detects a malware, Cybereason can immediately prevent the lateral spread of the attack within the network. The Cybereason Incident Responders have the full visibility of the devices that become compromised. There is minimal impact on the organization while it is deploying.
Nonetheless, this solution has a few drawbacks, such as the lack of reporting features and proper technical support. Cybereason comes in four packages: professional, business, enterprise, and ultimate. All of them include anti-ransomware.
6. Trendmicro
Trend Micro is also a robust AI-based antivirus software that identifies and blocks ransomware attacks. It provides fast malware scans. Furthermore, its Folder Shield protects files by preventing unauthorized programs from changing them. Trend Micro offers four layers of protection against ransomware; endpoint, email and web, network, and workload. It provides advanced email security to prevent phishing emails and combines different features like machine learning, sandboxing, threat intelligence, etc., for malware prevention, including ransomware. Its disadvantages include the lack of a VPN, the possibility to overload the system when scanning, and being less configurable.
Pricing:
Trend Micro ANtivirus offers three packages.
- Maximum Security: $49 per year
- Internet Security: $39.5 per year
- Antivirus+Security: $19.95 year
7. Check Point Zone Alarm
ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware can detect ransomware attacks that other solutions can’t detect. It detects ransomware, stops them, and immediately restores the encrypted data. This solution is a result of years of research and development and it provides complete protection against ransomware attacks. ZoneAlarm also offers a powerful anti-phishing feature in its personal and business anti-ransomware packages, including technologies like machine-learning and heuristic.
Despite its intuitive features, there are also a few reported drawbacks, such as the inability to detect some simulated ransomware and its high cost. The cost of Zone Alarm Anti-Ransomware changes according to the number of devices you need to protect. It costs $25.95 for one per year to protect one PC.
8. Datto
Datto is a ransomware solution with many different features and components from other ransomware solutions. Datto remote monitoring & management (RMM) consists of native ransomware detection that prevents crypto-ransomware by actively monitoring them. The Datto RMM combined with Autotask PSA enables high-priority threats to be escalated first. Datto SIRIS can protect all infrastructure, including cloud infrastructure, providing rapid recovery. It can also find ransomware within data backups. Datto SaaS helps you protect cloud-based applications from ransomware, also offering speedy data recovery. However, configuring these modules can sometimes be tricky, and it can be difficult to do customizations.
9. Veritas
Veritas is another multi-layered ransomware protection solution that integrates ransomware detection, protection, backup, and recovery options. Its automated and on-demand malware scanner can detect and block malware across all your devices. It can also detect anomalies across the system, automatically detecting unusual data and user activity like unusual write activity, file extensions, and access activity. Veritas also provides immutables and indelible storage options to improve the resiliency of your data across your infrastructure.
10. Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes is a popular ransomware detection and prevention solution with intelligent features. It has an automated approach to improving endpoint security by automatically remediating malware attacks, saving valuable resources and time. Its EDR solution is a cloud-based solution that can scale well and offers consolidated threat incident response across all your endpoints. However, some users have reported that it can be resource-intensive.
Prevention is the best form of protection against ransomware cyberattacks
Ransomware is one of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats worldwide, leading to severe financial losses for organizations. Research reveals that ransomware keeps evolving daily, emerging new types of ransomware every year. Therefore, organizations that consider cyber security a top priority must install a proper ransomware protection solution to safeguard their systems and data. This article has described the ten most prominent ransomware solutions in the market. However, the most effective solution to ransomware is providing necessary training for your company’s staff. The reason is that ransomware attacks occur due to human errors caused by a lack of awareness. That is why companies should invest in ransomware awareness solutions like CybeReady. CybeReady helps cultivate an excellent cyber security culture in your organization and significantly reduces the risks of ransomware attacks.
Do you want to protect your system against ransomware attacks? Then head over to CybeReady and request a demo on how you can achieve it using the CybeReady awareness program.
