Welcome back to the Cybersecurity Corner! We've discussed passwords, scams, and securing your home devices. Now, let's talk about one of the most feared threats in cybersecurity: Ransomware.

Ransomware is malicious software (malware) that effectively holds your digital life hostage. It sneaks onto your computer and silently encrypts (scrambles) all your personal files—photos, school projects, tax documents, everything. Once it's done, a message pops up demanding a payment (a ransom) to get the decryption key.

Schools and hospitals are often major targets, but individual families are targeted every single day. The consequences are devastating: you lose access to your precious files permanently.

Why You Should NEVER Pay the Ransom

If you are ever hit with ransomware, your first instinct might be to pay the criminals to get your files back. However, U.S. federal law enforcement and security agencies, including the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) and CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), strongly advise against paying the ransom.

The agencies cite two main reasons for this recommendation:

1. No Guarantee: Paying the ransom offers no guarantee that the criminals will send you the decryption key. Many victims pay and still permanently lose their data.

2. You Fund Crime: Every payment encourages and finances future criminal operations, increasing the threat to others, including homes and school districts nationwide.

If paying is not the answer, what is your best line of defense? The answer is not a complex, expensive piece of software. It’s a simple process you can start today: The Backup.

Your Lifeline: The 3-2-1 Backup Rule

A backup is simply a copy of your important files stored somewhere other than your computer. When it comes to backups, we recommend the 3-2-1 Rule. This is the single best way to ensure your family photos and critical documents are safe from ransomware, fire, theft, and accidental deletion.

Rule	Meaning	How to doit
3 Copies	have at least three total copies of your data.	1 primary copy and 2 backup copies.
2 formats	store your copies on two different media types.	Cloud Storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox, etc.) and an external hard drive.
1 Off-Site	Keep one copy stored in a different physical location	This means your cloud copy. A fire or flood won’t destry a file saved in the cloud. Critically, your external hard drive should not be plugged into your computer 24/7.

The Most Important Step for Ransomware: Unplug It!

The biggest mistake people make is keeping their external backup drive plugged in all the time. If ransomware infects your computer, it will automatically encrypt any drive connected to it—including your backup.

Action Item: Once your backup is complete, unplug your external hard drive and store it safely until the next scheduled backup time. This creates an offline copy that a remote cyberattack cannot touch.

Keep Your Digital Door Locked

While having a backup is your safety net, practicing good cyber habits remains essential for preventing an attack in the first place:

1. Keep Software Updated: Enable automatic updates for your operating system (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android). Updates often include security patches that block new types of ransomware.

2. Use Anti-Malware Software: A reputable security program can detect and stop ransomware before it can encrypt your files.

3. Be Wary of Emails: Ransomware often starts with a phishing email. Never click on links or download attachments from senders you don't know, or that feel too urgent.

The takeaway is this: You may not be able to stop every cyberattack directed at you, but you can control whether that attack succeeds in destroying your data. Start your 3-2-1 backup plan today.

Stay safe, stay vigilant!

Jeremy Cox

IT Director 

West Valley School District