Detecting a ransomware infection early can prevent threat actors from stealing, locking, and leaking your data. When your systems fail to detect the cyberattack in time, immediate actions are required to completely remove ransomware from the network and ensure you can restore access to your data and prevent future attacks.
At Proven Data, we’ve helped thousands of clients with professional cybersecurity services and provide complete ransomware removal and secure data recovery. This is followed by an in-depth digital forensics report that informs how the breach happened and the system’s vulnerabilities.
Our cybersecurity experts are constantly learning about the new threats, attack methods, and tools hackers use to spread ransomware. Here’s our complete guide on how you should handle a ransomware attack.
Types of ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that usually demands payment in exchange for a decryption key. There are several types of ransomware, mostly with monetary goals. However, some attacks have the objective of disrupting operations or even espionage.
Crypto-ransomware
This type of ransomware encrypts files on the victim’s system, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Attackers typically demand payment in cryptocurrency, making transactions difficult to trace. Even after payment, there’s no guarantee that the decryption key will be provided or that the system won’t be reinfected.
Locker ransomware
Unlike crypto-ransomware, locker ransomware completely locks the user out of their device. Cybercriminals often use social engineering tactics to install this malware. The device’s functions are disabled except for basic controls, forcing the user to interact with the ransom demand.
Scareware
Scareware tricks users into believing their device is infected or compromised, prompting them to download fake security software. While it may not cause direct harm, it can lead to financial loss if users pay for unnecessary services.
Extortionware
This variant locks down the device and threatens to leak sensitive information unless a ransom is paid. Hackers often search for confidential data to use as leverage against their victims.
Doxware
Doxware encrypts files and threatens to release personal or proprietary information publicly. This can lead to identity theft or other serious repercussions.
Wiper malware
Wiper malware goes beyond locking files; it aims to destroy data entirely. Often used in targeted attacks against businesses, it can halt operations without necessarily demanding a ransom.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
RaaS refers to a business model in which cybercriminals provide ransomware tools and infrastructure for others to use in attacks. This allows individuals with limited technical skills to launch ransomware campaigns in exchange for a cut of the ransom payments, making ransomware attacks more accessible and widespread.
How to handle a ransomware attack ​
As soon as you realize or suspect that you are a victim of a cyberattack, your best course of action is to leave the infected machines and contact help. This is because leaving the infected machine untouched preserves evidence and ransomware traces that could allow forensic analysts to determine the variant and possibly develop a decryption key. Turning the machine off or deleting files destroys that evidence.
Also, unless you already have an incident response team, contacting expert ransomware removal service providers is the best chance of containing the attack and recovering access to encrypted files.
Here is our list of what to do when you realize your system has been infected by ransomware:
- Leave the infected machine untouched. Don’t turn off the computer or delete the encrypted files.
- Call Proven Data’s 24/7 ransomware removal and breach response service for immediate assistance.Â
- Preserve any evidence of the attack. Don’t delete encrypted files and document the indicators of compromise (IOCs), as these data are critical for forensics investigation.Â
- DO NOT PAY THE RANSOM. Paying the ransom does not guarantee that the attacker will restore access to your files or remove the malicious files. You can check our in-depth guide on what happens if you pay a ransom demand.
Ransomware removal process
An incident response plan and regularly updated backups can prevent losses and minimize the cost of ransomware, which is always higher than the ransom demanded—it can cost your data, your business integrity, and your company’s future.Â
However, if you lack a plan, the process of removing ransomware presents an opportunity to restore your business. This process aims to remediate any prior malicious activity performed by the attacker, allowing the environment to be ready for data restoration.
Proven Data’s ransomware removal experts are experienced in incident response and remediation. This means we can handle all aspects of ransomware removal, including incident response, forensic reporting, and data recovery.
Steps for ransomware removal process:
Proven Data’s experienced security professionals can ensure the best approach to your needs, minimizing downtime and patching your system to prevent new cyberattacks. Since each ransomware works differently, our experts use different approaches for each system and malware variant.
However, the base of the work is similar, involving:
- Identify the ransomware: Determine the specific strain of malware to guide the removal strategy.
- Assess the type and extent of damage: Evaluate affected systems and data to prioritize recovery efforts.
- Detect how the attack happened: Investigate entry points to prevent future breaches.
- Remove the ransomware and patch vulnerabilities: Eliminate malicious code and address security weaknesses.
- Unlock encrypted data: Attempt data recovery using decryption tools or restore from clean backups.
Important: This is an example of a possible approach. Once you contact our experts and approve the service, it will be unique. This means that the steps can change to adapt to each network, machine, data type, and ransomware variant.
How much does ransomware removal cost
To fully understand the costs associated with removing ransomware from your environment, we will break it down into two stages: ransomware removal and vulnerability scanning.
To fully understand the costs associated with removing ransomware from your environment, we will break it down into two stages: ransomware removal and vulnerability scanning.
1. Ransomware removal
Ransomware malware removal includes scanning computers and servers for the following:Â
- Malware
- Rootkits & back doors
- Malicious registry entries
2. Vulnerability scanning
Vulnerability scanning includes:
- Scanning IP address to discover open RDP ports
- Scanning devices connected to the network to check for known exploits
The cost of a professional ransomware removal service that includes full recovery (data decryption, malware removal, fixing corrupt files, etc.) can only be estimated after an evaluation.Â
The final ransomware removal service cost will vary depending on the hours worked and the difficulty of the ransomware removal and recovery service.
After the ransomware removal process ends, our experts also ensure that the decrypted data is accessible. Since ransomware often corrupts files, a ransomware data recovery service includes restoring files.
How does ransomware infect a network
Understanding the attack vectors that the ransomware actors exploited is critical to securing your network.
There are three common ways ransomware attacks happen:
Open RDP ports
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is the native Windows remote access method that allows a user or administrator to remotely connect to a computer or server from a location on another network.Â
This is the most common attack vector for ransomware that we’ve observed, especially with many businesses having a growing remote workforce.Â
If your RDP access is unsecured or the password is weak, it is easy for a determined attacker to breach your network. RDP port settings are viewable from your firewall’s port forwarding rules.
Phishing emails
Phishing is a attack method where criminals send e-mails that contain malware or malicious links that install a ransomware program or remote access Trojan on the computer when clicked are some of the most common gateways for ransomware. All it takes is one member of your organization to click the link or download the infected files. Then the malware can spread undetected like wildfire through your network.
Exploit kits
These are advanced malware tools that allow cybercriminals to target victims through security gaps, even in well-known software and hardware from technology manufacturers. This potential vulnerability can be exploited if you do not regularly install software and hardware security updates. For example, there’s an outdated VMware ESXi Hypervisor vulnerability, and they often get through unpatched Microsoft Exchange exploits.
How to detect ransomware
Ransomware spreads fast. Once it gets into one device of your network, you need to act quickly to prevent further damage.Â
Here are some early signs of a ransomware attack for you to watch out for:
1. Antivirus and anti-malware software warning
When you use powerful and updated security software, it’ll scan every website and file you access. Then, they will alert you to the malicious file trying to access your system. Unfortunately, some ransomware can bypass the most sophisticated antivirus. So you must also pay attention to the other signs.
2. Overworked CPU
Ransomware can affect your computer’s functions, increasing CPU activity and disk activity. Which will overheat the device. You may notice this from the loud noise of the fan.
3. The ransomware changes the file’s extension
Check your file names for any added extensions. For example, you can name an image Photo01.png. The .png is the file extension. When ransomware gets into your computer or networking, it adds its own extension after the file extension. This is also how you can know which ransomware bypassed your security system.
4. Encrypted files
After a cyber-attack by ransomware, your files are hostage. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files and demands a ransom to give a key for decryption.Â
Don’t pay the ransom! You can learn more about what to do in case of a ransomware attack in the Ransomware Guide by CISA, a governmental entity that investigates these crimes.
