Ransomware attacks are hitting small businesses. These are experts' top defense tips

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/12/ [login to see] /what-experts-think-companies-should-do-when-ransomware-strikes
Over recent years, cybercriminals have targeted governments and small businesses alike in massive digital heists — making hundreds of millions of dollars in 2021 alone in exchange for unlocking victims' systems. As the attacks got more high profile, peaking after Colonial Pipeline's shutdown last spring led to fuel shortages across the East Coast, the need for solutions became more desperate.

In 2021, U.S. government officials, academics, and members of think-tanks and the private sector formed the Ransomware Task Force. Its latest report was published in early August with the help of the Center for Internet Security. The report is designed to give small and medium sized businesses a checklist of step to prepare for, defend against, and recover from ransomware attacks, using data about attacks and what strategies have worked in the past.