It’s late April, and your accounting firm is working around the clock. The team is exhausted, files are piling up, and your inbox is flooded with urgent client requests. Suddenly, everything freezes. A message appears on your screen: “Your files have been encrypted. Pay $500,000 in Bitcoin to restore access.”

This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. Ransomware attacks spike dramatically during tax season, targeting firms that handle sensitive financial data. Cybercriminals know that businesses like yours are under pressure, making them more vulnerable to phishing scams, weak security practices, and overlooked vulnerabilities.

If you’re an IT Director or firm decision-maker, preventing ransomware isn’t just about protecting files—it’s about keeping your business operational, maintaining client trust, and avoiding devastating financial losses. Let’s break down how you can fortify your firm against ransomware during the busiest season of the year.

Why Ransomware Attacks Surge During Tax Season

Cybercriminals exploit high-stress environments, and few industries feel more pressure during tax season than accounting, financial services, and law firms. Here’s why your firm is a prime target:

1. Urgency Leads to Mistakes: Employees are working faster, meaning they’re more likely to click on phishing emails or skip security protocols.
2. Massive Amounts of Sensitive Data: Hackers know that firms are handling social security numbers, tax returns, and financial statements—making them high-value targets.
3. Increased Email Communication: Cybercriminals use fake emails posing as clients, IRS agents, or financial institutions to trick employees into clicking malicious links.
4. Backup Delays: Many firms prioritize meeting tax deadlines over cybersecurity maintenance, leaving backup systems outdated or ineffective.
5. Ransom Payments Are More Likely: With deadlines looming, firms are more willing to pay the ransom to avoid disruptions, making them attractive targets.

5 Steps to Protect Your Firm from Ransomware This Tax Season

1. Fortify Your Defenses with Multi-Layered Security

Ransomware isn’t a single attack—it’s a combination of weak security points being exploited. A multi-layered security approach can significantly reduce your risk.

• Advanced Email Security: Implement AI-driven phishing detection tools that block malicious emails before they reach employees.
• Endpoint Protection: Ensure all devices (workstations, laptops, and mobile devices) are equipped with advanced threat detection software.
• Zero-Trust Security Model: Require verification before granting access to critical systems.
• Firewall & Network Monitoring: Continuous monitoring helps detect suspicious activity before an attack spreads.

Action Step: If you don’t have 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring, your firm is at risk. A Managed IT Security provider can ensure constant protection against threats.

2. Strengthen Employee Awareness & Training

Your employees are your first line of defense—or your biggest vulnerability. The majority of ransomware attacks start with human error, typically through phishing emails or malicious links.

• Phishing Attack Simulations: Run internal tests to see how employees respond to fake phishing emails.
• Urgency Awareness Training: Teach staff to slow down and verify before opening attachments or clicking links.
• IRS Scam Awareness: Remind employees that the IRS never initiates contact via email or text requesting sensitive information.

Action Step: Require mandatory cybersecurity training for all staff before tax season kicks into high gear.

3. Secure & Test Your Backups Regularly

One of the biggest mistakes firms make is assuming their backups will save them—only to find out they’re corrupted or outdated when an attack hits. A tested and secure backup strategy is your best defense against paying a ransom.

• Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule: Keep 3 copies of your data (primary + two backups), on 2 different media, with 1 stored offsite.
• Use Immutable Backups: These cannot be modified or deleted, preventing ransomware from wiping out your last line of defense.
• Test Recovery Regularly: Backups are useless if they don’t work—simulate recovery scenarios before tax season starts.

Action Step: Set up automated daily backups and test full system restoration at least once per quarter.

4. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere

Ransomware attackers love weak passwords. Many firms rely on outdated authentication methods, leaving them exposed to credential theft and unauthorized access.

• Require MFA for All Logins: Enable MFA for email, financial software, cloud storage, and remote access tools.
• Disable Single Sign-On (SSO) for Critical Apps: If an attacker gains access to one account, SSO could give them the keys to everything.
• Use Physical Security Keys: These provide a higher level of security than app-based authentication.

Action Step: Conduct a company-wide MFA audit before peak tax season.

5. Create an Incident Response Plan (And Test It!)

What happens if ransomware does get in? Without a plan, firms scramble to respond, leading to costly downtime and compliance violations.

• Define a Ransomware Response Team: Assign roles before an attack happens.
• Develop a Communication Plan: Who needs to be notified? Clients, employees, and vendors?
• Have a Clear Restoration Process: Ensure you know how to recover systems without paying the ransom.

Action Step: Run a ransomware response drill before tax season to ensure your team knows exactly what to do.

Don’t Wait for an Attack – Protect Your Firm Now

Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to firms handling financial data during tax season. The worst mistake you can make is assuming it won’t happen to you.

At IntermixIT, we specialize in proactive ransomware protection, 24/7 threat monitoring, and secure IT solutions for accounting and financial firms.

If your cybersecurity strategy hasn’t been fully tested before tax season, now is the time.

Schedule a FREE 15-minute security consultation today and let’s make sure your firm is protected.

Book Your Call Now

Identify vulnerabilities in your system
Get expert advice on ransomware prevention
Ensure your firm is secure before tax season hits

Ransomware doesn’t wait. Neither should you.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Protecting Your Firm from Ransomware During Tax Season

1. Why are ransomware attacks more common during tax season?

Ransomware attacks surge during tax season because cybercriminals know accounting firms and financial businesses are overwhelmed with urgent deadlines. This high-pressure environment increases the likelihood of employees falling for phishing scams, clicking malicious links, or overlooking security best practices. Since firms handle sensitive tax and financial data, hackers see them as high-value targets for extortion.

2. How does ransomware infect a company’s systems?

Ransomware typically infiltrates business networks through phishing emails, malicious attachments, compromised websites, and weak passwords. Employees may unknowingly click on a link or download a file that activates the malware, encrypting company data and locking critical systems. Without proper endpoint security and network monitoring, ransomware can spread rapidly, shutting down operations.

3. What’s the best way to protect my firm from ransomware during tax season?

The best defense against ransomware is a multi-layered cybersecurity approach that includes email security filters, endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and real-time threat monitoring. Implementing the 3-2-1 backup rule (three copies of data, two different media types, one offsite backup) ensures you can recover quickly without paying the ransom. Regular employee training on phishing awareness also helps reduce the risk of human error.

4. How can I tell if a phishing email is a ransomware attack?

Ransomware phishing emails often contain urgent messages, fake IRS warnings, or fraudulent client requests. Look for email addresses that don’t match the sender’s name, unexpected attachments, grammatical errors, and suspicious links. Always verify any request for financial transactions or login credentials directly with the sender before taking action. AI-powered email security filters can help block these threats before they reach employees.

5. What should I do if my firm gets hit with a ransomware attack?

If your firm experiences a ransomware attack, immediately disconnect infected devices from the network to prevent the malware from spreading. Notify your internal IT team or Managed IT provider to assess the damage and begin the recovery process. Do not pay the ransom, as this encourages further attacks and doesn’t guarantee file restoration. Having tested backups and an incident response plan ensures a faster recovery.

6. How often should I back up my firm’s data to prevent ransomware damage?

Businesses should automate daily backups and store them on secure, offsite servers that are not connected to the main network. Following the 3-2-1 backup strategy provides a reliable recovery option in case ransomware encrypts local files. It’s also critical to test your backups regularly to ensure they are functional before an attack occurs.

7. Does cyber insurance cover ransomware attacks?

Cyber insurance policies may cover ransomware attacks, but many providers require businesses to have strong cybersecurity measures in place. If your firm lacks multi-factor authentication, endpoint security, or a tested backup system, your claim may be denied. It’s essential to review your policy before an attack occurs to understand coverage limits and requirements.

8. Can ransomware attacks be prevented entirely?

While no system is 100% attack-proof, proactive cybersecurity strategies significantly reduce the risk. Implementing real-time threat detection, email filtering, employee training, and MFA makes it much harder for ransomware to penetrate your systems. Regular patch management and software updates also close security gaps that hackers exploit.

9. How does Managed IT Security help protect against ransomware?

Managed IT Security services provide 24/7 monitoring, threat detection, email security filtering, and automated patch management to protect your firm against ransomware attacks. A Managed Security Provider (MSP) like IntermixIT can identify vulnerabilities, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure data backups are properly configured and tested. This proactive approach ensures your business stays protected, even during high-risk seasons like tax time.

10. How can I get a cybersecurity assessment to check my firm’s ransomware risks?

A cybersecurity assessment evaluates your network security, email protections, endpoint vulnerabilities, and backup strategy to identify weaknesses before cybercriminals do. At IntermixIT, we offer a free 15-minute security consultation to help firms assess their risks and implement the best cybersecurity practices for ransomware prevention. Book your call now to ensure your firm stays protected this tax season.