First steps in dealing with ransomware
When a ransomware attack occurs, every decision takes on a very different weight from the usual management of your business… we’d almost say “routine”, given the criticality of this type of situation. In the case of ransomware, your data is being blackmailed by a team of malicious hackers, who can cause irreparable damage and put you in a very uncomfortable situation. The key to minimizing this damage is to react quickly, knowledgeably and consciously. In these pages dedicated to responding to ransomware, we’ll provide you with the essential steps to take immediately after detecting an attack.
Ransomware often manifests itself as the inability to access your files, accompanied by a ransom demand. If you suspect an attack, look for signs such as modified file extensions, ransom notes on your computer desktop or abnormally slow system performance. The attack must be confirmed as soon as possible to limit its scope.
When you detect a ransomware attack, the first and most important reaction is to isolate infected devices. This means physically disconnecting substations from the network by removing affected Ethernet cables, disabling Wi-Fi. This action should be accompanied by a password reset to try and prevent remote access to the system.
Above all, resist the urge to delete or modify infected files. These files are essential evidence for cybersecurity experts analyzing the attack. Document everything you can, including error messages, ransom notes and any other ransomware communications. This information is invaluable for investigation and data recovery attempts.
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Present 24/7, our cybersecurity experts are at your side, to help you overcome a ransomware incident within your organization. We’ve been the leader in data recovery in France for over 20 years. We have already rescued over 100,000 storage media.
Once the devices have been isolated and the evidence preserved, contact your IT team or service provider without delay. Give them all the details of the incident. They will be able to implement an incident response strategy to contain the attack and begin the recovery process. Consider contacting a company like SOS Ransomware, which specializes in handling this type of situation, as soon as possible, to preserve maximum chances.
We recommend that you report the incident to the appropriate authorities. In France, the Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr platform is an excellent place to start. The authorities can provide further advice and help you make the right decisions.
Take the time to assess the scale of the attack. Which systems are affected? How much data has been compromised? This analysis is fundamental to understanding the severity of the incident, considering appropriate responses and planning recovery.
Before considering paying the ransom, explore all other options. Check your backups and investigate the possibility of using free decryption tools. These tools can sometimes offer a solution for certain types of ransomware. Very often your data is encrypted superficially, since time is also of the essence for hackers. Don't overlook this point, as our teams can provide you with additional resources you may not be aware of.
Once you have a clear understanding of the impact and recovery options, start drawing up a restoration plan. This plan should include the restoration of affected data and systems, as well as measures to ensure that restored data is clean of malicious code. It is also essential to test restored data in an isolated environment before bringing it back online, to avoid reinfection.
Disaster recovery after a ransomware attack should be carried out with caution. Once you're confident that the restored data is clean, start by bringing critical systems back online first. Make sure all security measures are in place and that staff are informed of changes and new procedures. Monitor systems closely for any signs of persistent problems or new attack attempts.
Adopt the right reflexes...
We have over 20 years’ experience in data recovery. Call on the French leader, our expertise enables us to provide you with a top-level response.
The first steps to take in the face of ransomware
All the steps to take after an infection
Restoring data following a ransomware attack