Published 2024-01-20 by TechNet Team
Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. Attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, often including data theft before encryption (double extortion).
Prevention Measures
- Backup, backup, backup: Maintain offline or immutable backups that ransomware can't reach
- Patch promptly: Most ransomware exploits known vulnerabilities
- Email security: Block malicious attachments and links
- Endpoint protection: Modern EDR solutions can detect and stop ransomware
- Network segmentation: Limit lateral movement if one system is compromised
- Least privilege access: Users should only have access they need
- Disable macros: Block macro execution in Office documents by default
If You're Hit by Ransomware
- Isolate immediately: Disconnect affected systems from the network
- Don't pay immediately: Payment doesn't guarantee recovery and funds criminal operations
- Contact authorities: Report to FBI's IC3 and your local field office
- Engage incident response: Professional help is critical for proper recovery
- Preserve evidence: Don't wipe systems until forensic analysis is complete
- Check for decryptors: NoMoreRansom.org may have free decryption tools
- Restore from backup: Only after ensuring backups aren't compromised
Building Ransomware Resilience
Organizations that recover quickly have these in common:
- Tested, offline backups with verified restore procedures
- Documented incident response plans
- Cyber insurance with ransomware coverage
- Regular tabletop exercises
- Relationship with incident response providers before an incident