Due to our growing dependency on digital technology, ransomware attacks are becoming a prominent threat to most organisations. Ransomware groups are seizing the opportunity to make money by stealing private data and holding it for ransom. Unfortunately, these are costly attacks for businesses, not only disrupting operations but also their reputation and legal standings.
However, the impact of a ransomware attack can be minimised if you act fast enough. But in order to act quickly, you need to know what one looks like. Knowing the anatomy of an attack can help you identify one and call professional cybersecurity teams to recover your systems.
At Solace Cyber, we are ransomware recovery experts. Our Digital Forensic Incident Response teams are based across the nation, so no matter where you are based, we can get to you quickly to implement a containment and recovery strategy. As a recognised Assured Service Provider by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), we are a trusted cybersecurity firm.
Here, we share how a ransomware attack works so you and your staff can be vigilant across your networks and spot a ransomware attack quickly for the best chance at recovery.
How Ransomware Attacks Happen
While there is an ever-growing number of different ransomware groups around, the way they work follows a similar process.
The first step is for the group to gain access to your network. This can be done in several ways:
- Phishing emails
- Malicious attachments and downloads
- Exploiting unpatched software vulnerabilities
- Compromised remote desktop protocols
- Supply chain attacks
Once they have access to your network, the time frame of their movements can vary. Some groups might sit hidden for months before acting, as they take time looking around your network to find the most valuable data.
The next step is the execution of the attack. This is when they start encrypting files, often blocking your access to them.
When they have all the data they want, they will send a ransom note demanding a certain amount of money in exchange for your data. The note will often give you a deadline along with a threat that if the deadline isn’t met, they will leak your data.
However, even if you follow their instructions and pay the right amount for the ransom on time, it is not guaranteed that you will get your data back, and by that time, the damage is likely to have already been done.
Identifying Ransomware Threats
Identifying an attack early is often vital for a chance of recovering your network and data.
This is why it is so important you know the signs of a ransomware attack.
- Unusual system slowdown
- Unexpected or unusual file extension names
- Strange pop-ups or ransom messages
- Unauthorised access attempts
If you notice any of the above, you should flag it with your IT team as soon as possible so they can investigate it and contact a ransomware recovery team to contain the attack and work to recover the network.
Proactive monitoring is key because it enables you to notice differences quickly so you can swiftly react to them.
How to Protect Your Business
There are several steps that you can take to protect your business against ransomware attacks. Implementing these doesn't guarantee you won’t be attacked, but they enhance the chance of spotting an attack quickly and protect your data from being lost.
- Best practices to follow to protect your business and data include:
- Regular data backups and offline storage
- Employee training on phishing awareness and the signs of a malware attack
- Keep software and systems up to date
- Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions
If you do suspect you are under attack, you should follow the following steps:
- Isolate the breached system, network or device
- Contact a professional ransomware recovery team as soon as possible
- Do not pay the ransom
Let Our Digital Forensic Incident Response Team Help
If you believe you are under attack from a ransomware group, contact Solace Cyber immediately.
We have Digital Forensic Incident Response teams across the country, who are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This means no matter where you are or when you suspect an attack, we can help.
Our team will get to your site as quickly as possible, having been dispatched the same day as your enquiry.
On our arrival, we will immediately start working with your team to get a comprehensive understanding of the situation before collaborating with them to create a recovery plan, which we will implement as quickly as possible.
The six-step ransomware recovery process we follow is thorough but swift as we work to contain the breach before eliminating the root cause to remove the chances of another attack in the future. The Digital Forensic Response team is trained to handle data appropriately, so you can use it as evidence in any criminal court proceedings or insurance claims, should you need it.
We will then deliver full restoration of affected systems and services to normal operation.
Our service ends with a complete report on our actions, evidence collected and cyber security recommendations to help you prevent future attacks.
Contact us now if you believe you are under attack. Call us on 01202 308818.
