Which of the following is the most effective hardening option to protect against ransomware?

While endpoint protection software is an essential component of a comprehensive security strategy and plays a critical role in detecting and preventing ransomware attacks, the most effective hardening option to protect against ransomware is actually regular backups of files.

Regularly backing up files ensures that, in the event of a ransomware attack, you have readily accessible copies of your important data that are unaffected by the malware. Ransomware often encrypts files on the infected system, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. If you have a robust backup strategy in place that includes frequent backups to an offsite location or a secure cloud service, you can restore your data without paying the ransom.

Endpoint protection software can help prevent malware infections by detecting and blocking threats, but it cannot guarantee that a system will remain unaffected. In contrast, a strong backup system directly mitigates the impact of a ransomware attack, minimizing downtime and data loss, which is why it is considered the most effective hardening option.

Using strong passwords and disabling user accounts are important security practices, especially to reduce unauthorized access; however, they do not directly address the specific threat posed by ransomware, making them less effective in this context compared to regular backups.