Soon after the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency of cyber-attacks hiked. It is reported that a 400% increase in targeted ransomware attacks is observed during the time of the pandemic. Therefore, today, more than ever, the role of data protection stands in the spotlight. These attacks are targeting all industries and every area of the IT infrastructure. So, you can save your organization only if you install the most advanced security strategy in your business. Moreover, given the current situation, companies also need to carefully consider their ability to respond and recover from a ransomware incident. Their ransomware recovery plan is very important if somehow the internet extortionists enter into their systems.
Although when it comes to data recovery, most companies only rely on maintaining and testing backups of critical data. They often overlook having access to the stored packet data from the lead-up and ransomware attack itself. Moreover, if this recovery method fails to deliver, organizations don’t have other options except to pay the ransomware operator. But paying the ransom doesn’t always get you back your data, many times, cybercriminals run away with the money. Therefore, in situations like this, cyber security solutions should be your best go. Read on to learn in detail about ransomware protection and recovery guidelines.
Steps to Follow for an Invincible Data Protection and a Successful Ransomware Recovery:
Following are the most effective methods you can adopt for the protection and recovery of your data,
Back up and Test:
Your backups are the first line of defense against a ransomware attack. Therefore, experts recommend that you must keep backups of your important data. Furthermore, test these backups regularly and keep them updated for making them fully functional. It is important to note here that often cyber criminals try to target your backups too and if they are connected with your systems, they are likely to get infected. Hence, for the safety of your backups, either keep them offline or offsite. This way, they will not be directly accessible to the ransomware operators.
Install a Good Quality Antivirus Software and Firewalls on all Your Systems:
Your antivirus and firewalls are considered the vanguards of your advanced security system. They keep your systems and network safe from viruses and other small-scale cybercrimes at a certain level. Moreover, they also inform you when a ransomware attack is launched onto your systems. This helps you in taking timely protection and recovery steps. As a result, you will be saved from bigger disasters.
Keep Your Systems and Software Applications Updated:
Software applications provider often try to remove vulnerabilities of their application through updates. Therefore, you must always keep your systems and applications updated to save yourself from cyber-attacks. The internet extortionists are always after vulnerabilities because they are like open doors from where they can launch their attacks. And an updated system closes all those doors that could have otherwise become a reason for system hijacking.
Isolate the Infected System once You Get a Hint of a Ransomware Attack:
After one of your systems hints a ransomware attack, disconnect the affected system from the rest of your network. Doing this will ensure that it does not spread to other computers in your organization (if it has not already). This can be done by simply pulling the Ethernet cable attached to your system. Or you can manually ‘disable’ each connection through the Network and Sharing Center via Control Panel for isolating the system.
Run a Full Scan on Your Systems:
Some cyber-attacks are just ‘scareware’ that can’t do much harm besides bombarding your system with pop-ups and illegitimate adverts. Generally, your files are also safe in this case and this malware is only designed to scare you. If you have good antivirus software installed on your computer, running a full scan often removes the problem. But if your files are encrypted, the scan will not get your files back.
Identify and Remove the Ransomware:
Before doing anything for the data recovery, try to identify the malware and remove it. And for doing this task, you need the services of cyber security solutions. If you go with the recovery method without removing the ransomware, you will earn nothing. The new data will be encrypted again. So, ransomware removal is a step you need to do before trying any method of recovery.
Try Recovery Methods:
The first way you should try for ransomware recovery is, use your backups. This is the quickest method but it can only work if your backups are safe and fully updated. If this method fails, try data recovery software applications because they can get you the deleted files. You may also try the system restore method for data recovery. These methods can also work, sometimes. However, if nothing works out, then go with negotiating on ransom amount.
