Ransomware attacks are increasingly targeting small business owners. If you’re not prepared, a ransomware attack can destroy your business. This article will share everything you need to know about how to get rid of ransomware.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that secretly installs itself on a computer or mobile device without the user’s consent, and then encrypts the files and data stored on the device. The user is then usually presented with a ransom note demanding payment in exchange for decrypting the data.
Ransomware has the potential to completely lock users out of their devices. In some cases, it can spread to other devices connected to the same network.
Keeping your devices up-to-date with the latest security patches, using anti-ransomware software, ignoring emails from unknown sources, and backing up your important data are practical ways to protect your business from ransomware.
Is Ransomware Recovery Possible for a Business?
Yes, it is possible for businesses to recover from ransomware. However, the time required for recovery and the amount of data lost can vary significantly depending on the severity of the attack and the preparedness of the business. If you have data backed up on external storage devices or in the cloud, the process of how to recover from ransomware becomes more manageable.
How to get rid of Ransomware attack
The following is a step-by-step process to recover from a ransomware attack:
Don’t panic
As a business owner, it can be scary to realize that ransomware has hit your computer systems. Your first instinct may be to panic and give in to the abuser’s demands, but it’s important to remember that there are other ways to get out of this situation.
The calmer you are, the better you will be able to assess the situation and explore different recovery options.
Disconnect infected devices
One of the important steps to get rid of ransomware is to disconnect the infected devices from the network. This action prevents the ransomware from spreading further, thereby protecting other devices connected to the network.
Immediately disconnect infected devices from the network, server and any external storage devices as soon as you detect a ransomware infection. If possible, enable airplane mode on infected devices. If you cannot turn off the Internet connection, turn off the device instead.
Check Other Devices and Servers
After disconnecting the infected devices, you should check other devices for any signs of encrypted files. Disconnect all devices and servers on your network, even if you don’t see any signs of data encryption and have some doubts. Next, scan all computers with a reputable anti-ransomware tool.
Check all storage devices for infection
After scanning all your computer devices, you should scan all your external storage devices in your company. Ransomware often targets all storage devices, including hard drives and external storage devices.
Check for Data Exfiltration
Your data can be deleted in a ransomware attack. Hence, you should check computer systems and attached storage devices for any signs of data leakage.
Monitoring outbound traffic patterns, external IP address connections, and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) can help detect any data leakage events.
Avoid paying ransom
When a ransomware attack hits your business, paying the ransom may seem like the fastest way to regain access to your data and get back to work.
But you should not pay the ransom because paying the ransom will help you get back access to your files.
Small businesses need to back up important files and sensitive data with proper security controls. This will help restore data from backups if necessary.
Check online to find the decryption key
Nowadays, many websites provide decryption keys for known ransomware. Therefore, it is important to search online for a decryption key. There is a good chance that you will find a key that will help you recover your data.
You can find the decryption key here, here and here.
Report the attack to the authorities
You should report a ransomware attack to the appropriate authorities. Sometimes the authorities may have the decryption key and help you fully recover your data.
In addition, some businesses are legally obligated to report certain ransomware attacks. Failure to do so can result in significant fines. Therefore, it is important to immediately report a ransomware attack to the appropriate authorities.
Restore data
Ransomware attacks are not always preventable. That’s why it’s so important to back up your data regularly. Remove ransomware from your computers and start restoring data from backup to get your system up and running.
If you have the option, you should always restore data from your backup and not from the infected device. This is because even if you manage to get the decryption key, there will be data loss even when recovering data from infected devices.
Find out how the attack happened
After you have removed the ransomware from your computers and recovered your files, it is important to perform a security audit to determine the causes of the ransomware attack. This process will help you strengthen your ransomware defenses to prevent future incidents.
Also, you should take the required steps to enhance ongoing data protection in your business. Using cloud-based data backup, creating multiple copies of important data, and having flexible recovery options can help you recover quickly from a ransomware attack.
It should be noted that ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. And more than half of ransomware infections are caused by phishing attacks.
Educating your employees on cybersecurity best practices can help prevent ransomware attacks.
Can System Restore Remove Ransomware?
System restore may not effectively remove ransomware, as this type of malware often hides inside files that are not affected by the restore process.
Is Ransomware Data Recovery Easy?
It depends. If you have a backup of your critical data, then recovering from ransomware is easy. If you don’t have your data backed up in a local backup solution or cloud storage, recovering ransomware data is not easy.
Thus, it is important to have a ransomware disaster recovery plan.
How long does it take to recover from a ransomware attack?
The average time to recover from a ransomware attack is one month. However, the actual recovery time depends on the type of ransomware, how your computer was infected in the first place, and what kind of data you have available or backed up (if you have one).
How much does it cost to recover from a ransomware attack?
The average cost of recovering from a ransomware attack is $1.4 million. However, the actual cost of recovering from ransomware can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the organization, the type of data being encrypted, and the availability (or lack thereof) of backed-up data.
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