Think about what you would be most upset to lose if something happened to your computer.
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something → think → computer
For me, it would be the photos and videos you cannot replace.
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you → replace → me
But your computer may also hold years of tax returns, medical records, scanned IDs, insurance paperwork, legal documents and other files you would hate to suddenly lose access to.
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you → hold → access
That is exactly what makes ransomware so damaging.
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ransomware → make → ?
It can lock or encrypt files so you can no longer open them, then the attacker demands money to give you access again.
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attacker → lock → access
Even if you pay, there is no guarantee you will get everything back.
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you → pay → everything
By the time a ransom message appears on your screen, a lot of the damage may already be done.
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lot → appear → damage
The smarter move is to prepare before that ever happens.
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that → prepare → ?
Here are the steps I would take to protect the files you care about most and make recovery a lot easier if ransomware ever hits.
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ransomware → take → files
Watch the replay and discover 5 ways AI can help you get better healthcare.
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you → watch → healthcare
Our free CyberGuy LIVE class Get Better Healthcare With AI has ended, but you can still watch the full replay.
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you → get → replay
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you through five practical ways AI can help you organize your health history, remember important appointment details, understand complicated medical information, research prescriptions and prepare smarter questions for your doctor.
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you → walk → doctor
No technical experience is needed.
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experience → need → ?
Watch the free replay + downloadable checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com
Start with the files you would hate to lose
Before choosing a backup method, make a short list of your most important files.
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you → watch → files
You do not have to organize your entire computer in one afternoon.
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You → have → afternoon
Include files stored in your Downloads, Desktop and Documents folders if they are important to you.
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they → include → you
For example, you might create folders called "Taxes," "Medical," "Home," "Family Photos" and "Important IDs."
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you → create → folders
This makes it easier to back up the right material and find it later.
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it → make → it
Build backups before you need them
A backup is another copy of a file stored somewhere else.
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backup → build → file
If your computer fails, is stolen or becomes infected, you have a way to recover your information.
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you → fail → information
One commonly recommended approach is the 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep three copies of important data on two different types of storage, with at least one copy kept somewhere separate from your main device or location.
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copy → recommend → device
For many households, a practical setup might include the files on your computer, a regularly updated external drive and a trusted cloud backup or storage service.
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setup → include → computer
Keep an external backup drive disconnected when you are not using it.
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you → keep → it
If it remains attached to an infected computer, ransomware may be able to reach files on that drive too.
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ransomware → remain → drive
Cloud services can add another layer between your files and your computer.
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services → add → files
Before relying on one, check what it covers, how much storage is included and how file restoration works.
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restoration → rely → what
Also remember that cloud storage and cloud backup are not always the same thing.
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storage → remember → ?
A storage service may sync changes across devices, while a backup service may provide separate copies or previous versions that can help with recovery.
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that → sync → recovery
Make your backups useful, not just automatic
Automatic backups are helpful because you do not have to remember to run them every week.
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you → make → them
But an automatic backup does you little good if you cannot restore anything from it.
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you → do → it
Choose a few files occasionally and confirm that they appear in your backup location.
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they → choose → location
This can uncover problems with permissions, file selection or an expired account before you are dealing with an emergency.
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you → uncover → emergency
Multifactor authentication requires another form of verification beyond your password and can make it harder for someone to get into your account if your password is compromised.
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password → require → account
A backup that has not run for months may be missing your newest family photos, tax records or work.
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that → run → photos
Also look at whether your service keeps previous versions of files.
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service → look → files
Version history can be useful if something is accidentally deleted, overwritten or encrypted.
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something → delete → ?
Check your provider's retention and recovery policies so you know how far back you can restore files.
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you → check → files
Reduce the chance of ransomware getting in
Ransomware can start with a deceptive email, text message, website, attachment or download.
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Ransomware → reduce → email
A few habits can help reduce the chances of letting it onto your computer in the first place:
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habits → help → place
A scam may claim that a package is delayed, an account needs attention or an invoice is overdue.
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invoice → claim → attention
…and 50 more, not listed.
The Aporia
