How to Deal With Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are some of the most common and disrupted cyber threats that businesses face today. They’re malicious attacks that encrypt data, barring you from accessing what you need until you pay the ransom the attackers demand.

For businesses, the stakes are often incredibly high, given that the attack can lead to data loss, operational downtime, and serious reputational damage. So, how should you handle a ransomware attack? It’s important to proceed carefully. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

How to Deal With Ransomware

If your business has fallen victim to a ransomware attack, it’s important to take swift and calculated action. This way, you can minimize the fallout and work to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Isolate the Infected Systems

First things first, prevent the ransomware from spreading to the rest of your systems (if it hasn’t already) by separating the infected systems. Disconnect the infected device from the network and unplug any external storage devices to keep the damage contained.

2. Assess the Situation

Next, take a closer look at what you’re dealing with. Identify the type of ransomware you’re facing. Some variants are more sophisticated than others, capable of wreaking all sorts of havoc. Understanding what you’re dealing with can help you iron out your next steps.

3. Avoid Paying the Ransom (Initially)

While your first thought might be to pay the ransom the attackers are demanding, thinking this has to be the quickest way to regain access to your files, it’s not always a good idea. Your payment doesn’t guarantee that the attackers will fulfill their promise. It actually encourages cybercriminals to continue their malicious activities, and, in some cases, they may demand more or fail to come through on their promise.

4. Contact Authorities

Notify the applicable authorities who deal with cybercrime of the incident. They may be able to provide resources that help you deal with the situation and may even have decryption keys that can address known ransomware variants.

5. Restore from Backups

Backups are a must-have, especially for situations like these. If you have a recent and clean backup, restoring your data is an excellent option. Be sure to store your backups offline or in a secure cloud environment to keep them from falling prey to hackers in a cyberattack.

6. Contact Cybersecurity Professionals

Cyberattacks are often complex, stressful, and downright overwhelming. In these cases, it’s always a good idea to contact a cybersecurity expert who specializes in ransomware recovery. They can help you with the specifics of the situation, including assessing the damage, attempting decryption, and fortifying your system against future attacks.

How to Negotiate With Attackers

While it’s generally best to avoid engaging with the attackers in a cyberattack, this isn’t always possible. If you have no viable alternatives but to negotiate with them, it’s important to proceed carefully. Negotiating is often a complicated process. Here’s how to approach ransomware negotiation.

1. Involve experts: In these situations, it’s always best to bring in professional negotiators or ransomware response firms who are well-versed in these situations. They can handle ransomware negotiation on your behalf to help you traverse the process more effectively.
2. Stay calm and professional: When dealing with the attackers, do your best to remain neutral and calm. Keep communication professional and straightforward, as this can boost your chances of a favorable outcome.
3. Validate the decryption capability: Before you pay the ransom, if you plan to pay it, confirm that the attackers can decrypt your data. They often do this by providing a small portion of your files as evidence.
4. Negotiate the price: While there’s certainly no guarantee, attackers might agree to a lower ransom amount. It’s important to note, though, that this comes with serious risk, as there’s no assurance that they will come through and provide the decryption key.
5. Understand the risks: Paying the ransom barring you from accessing your data funds criminal activities and may put a target on your business for future attacks, especially when they figure out that you’ll pay. Proceed with extreme caution and only as a last resort.

How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks

Prevention is always better than the cure, especially when it comes to ransomware. Here are a few methods and practices that can help you protect your organization against attacks:

• Regular backups: Make it a habit to maintain frequent and secure backups of critical data. Keep these backups offline or in a secure cloud environment to ensure they stay safe in the event of an attack. This way, if worse comes to worst, you’ll have a copy of your most important data.
• Strong security measures: Implement advanced firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint protection tools to keep your data safe from malware.
• Routine patching and updates: Regularly update your business’s software and systems to address known vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals often target and exploit outdated software because it can be an easy access point to broader networks.
• Employee education: Human error is a huge vulnerability in the security scene. Educating your employees through cybersecurity awareness training can go a long way in avoiding common mishaps, such as falling for phishing emails or other social engineering tactics attackers often use.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Having multiple steps in authentication provides an extra layer of security, complicating the process for attackers who may attempt to gain access to accounts. This remains true even when credentials are compromised since MFA has an additional security hoop attackers must jump through.
• Routine security audits: Periodically assess your business’s security posture to pinpoint and take care of any vulnerabilities before attackers find and exploit them.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Ransomware Attacks?

Recovery time varies based on the severity of the attack, the availability of backups, and the effectiveness of your response. Your immediate response to contain the attack and assess the damage might take anywhere from a few hours to a full day.

The process of restoring backups takes varying amounts of time. If you have clean backups, you may restore data in anywhere from a day to several weeks, with the exact time depending on the volume of data and the complexity of your systems. If you don’t, it often takes much longer, if at all.

You’ll also need to think about system repairs. Once you’ve addressed the attack, you’ll need to rebuild compromised systems and reconfigure security measures. This can take a few extra days or weeks.

Lastly, you need to analyze the attack to identify weak points and build stronger defenses to prevent future incidents. This can take up to a few weeks.

As a whole, the recovery process can take anywhere from a few days to a few months. Depending on the situation, this could mean months of downtime, which can be devastating for your business. Given the potential fallout, proactive prevention measures are a must.

Protect Your Business Against Ransomware Attacks With Infiniwiz

Ransomware is undoubtedly a formidable threat, but with the right approach, your business can work to mitigate its impact and protect against future risks. With swift action, expert guidance, and strong preventative measures, you can keep damage to a minimum and ensure a quick recovery. If you need help protecting your business against ransomware attacks, Infinwiz can help.

Our team specializes in network security, including ransomware prevention and recovery, offering tailored managed IT solutions to protect your data and operations. Don’t let ransomware disrupt your business. Contact us today to learn more about our network security services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Should I Pay the Ransom?

Paying the ransom to recover your data isn’t always the best option. While it might seem like the obvious next step, there’s no guarantee that the attackers will actually provide the decryption key. So, it’s best to consult with cybersecurity and legal experts before taking this step.

Do Attackers Demand Multiple Payments?

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for attackers to demand additional payments, even after the initial ransom is paid. This tactic, called “double extortion,” is becoming more and more prevalent. Because of this, it’s important to approach ransomware negotiations with caution and professional guidance.

Can Decryption Keys Be Trusted?

Even if attackers provide a decryption key, there’s no guarantee that it will work as it should and fully or correctly restore your data. In some cases, the key might only partially decrypt the data, leaving your business with corrupted or incomplete files. Given this potential, having professional assistance is a must.