Identifying and Mitigating Ransomware Attacks

Written by WesTec on November 9, 2023. Posted in Article, Business, Cybersecurity, Cypbercriminals, Data Protection, Security

Ransomware is a type of malicious software, also known as malware, designed to encrypt a victim’s files or entire computer system, making it inaccessible until a certain ransom is paid to the attacker. The attacker will typically demand payment in cryptocurrency, making it difficult to trace the destination of the transactions. Once the ransom is paid, the attacker claims that they will provide a decryption key or tool to unlock the victim’s data, allowing them to regain access. Both individuals and businesses should be able to identify ransomware attacks as early on as possible in order to take the best course of action in mitigating the attack minimizing its damages.

Identifying Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks should be identified as early as possible in order to minimize the damages and losses. Early tells of ransomware include out-of-the-ordinary file behavior as it typically changes the file extensions of encrypted files to something unusual. For example, your files might have “.locked,” “.encrypted,” or other unfamiliar extensions at the end or completely unrecognizable file names. When you attempt to open your files, you could also receive an error message or find that the contents have been scrambled and are inaccessible. These are just a couple of ways to identify a ransomware attack early on before the actual ransom note. It is essential to have strong cybersecurity measures in place to protect against ransomware attacks. Regularly updating software, implementing strong security practices, maintaining backups, and educating users about the dangers of phishing and malicious attachments are some of the best practices to prevent falling victim to ransomware.

Mitigating Ransomware Attacks
What do you do after you have identified the use of ransomware in your system? Generally speaking, it is not advisable to pay the ransom, as there is no guarantee of receiving a decryption key, and paying only fuels the criminal activity. Instead, victims should seek assistance from law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to explore other potential solutions for data recovery. These are experts in the field and have the resources to either track the attack back to the attacker or provide potential data recovery options in the case of stolen information. Additionally, users should disconnect the device with ransomware from the network in order to prevent it from spreading even further to other devices. Isolating the affected system from the network, refraining from paying the ransom, and seeking assistance from cybersecurity experts are all parts of mitigating a ransomware attack.

Ransomware attacks can be highly disruptive and damaging, affecting individuals, businesses, and even critical infrastructure. The motivations behind these attacks vary; some attackers are financially motivated, while others may have political, ideological, or malicious intentions. Make sure your technology is always up to date and secure to protect your data. If you have any questions about our IT services, contact us today! Follow us on Facebook to keep up with our latest blogs!

Tags: #Industries, backup, BusinessTechnology, Cyberattacks, cybersecurity, ITConsulting, ITServices, ITSupport, OutsourcedIT, spyware, WesTec