Over the last few years we have seen a number of
high-profile ransomware attacks that have affected small businesses, large
corporations, and even institutions like hospitals and universities. With each
successful infection, hackers have gotten bolder and business owners have found
more reason to worry.
In recent posts we have outlined steps you can take to
prevent yourself from being an easy target for online criminals. But, what
happens if your worst fears come to life and you are affected by ransomware?
Today, we want to lay out a few simple steps you should follow if you ever find
yourself in that unfortunate situation…
Disconnect the
Affected Machine from Your Network
The first thing you should do, if you see a ransomware
message on your computer, is to disconnect the affected machine from your
network. Physically unplug it if needed. Many forms of ransomware can spread
across intranets and wireless networks, and the last thing you need is for the
malware to get copied onto new devices.
If it isn’t possible to disconnect the device, or if you are
already seeing signs that it has spread, turn off your router or server
altogether.
Cover Up Any Webcams
or Microphones
Some ransomware infections will copy files from the host
computer and send them back to hackers. In other cases, criminals may listen in
through webcams or microphones on infected computers. These types of attacks
are rare, but they aren’t unheard of.
You don’t want them to be able to view or hear you, or to
get more sensitive information from your company. So, disconnecting or covering
things like webcams is a good idea.
Ignore Any Ransom
Demands
Hackers want you to think that the easiest way to deal with
a ransomware attack is to simply pay a fee and have access to your files
restored. However, that’s not usually a good idea. For one thing, you don’t
have any assurances you’ll get full access to your computers back. And for
another, it only encourages hackers to develop more ransomware and target you
again in the future.
Tempting as it might be to look for a quick fix, don’t make
the mistake of giving in to ransomware demands.
Call Your Small
Business IT Vendor Immediately
In many cases a good IT provider can remove malware from a
computer quickly. They can also help protect you against further attacks by
installing the right software and offering training to your team. If removal
isn’t a possibility, they may be able to restore affected devices or
workstations using existing backups, but that’s only an option if you had
ongoing support in place to begin with.
No matter how you look at it, the best way to deal with a
ransomware attack after it’s happened is to call an IT team you can trust and
let them get to work.
The Best Cure for
Ransomware is Better Protection
It goes without saying that the best way to deal with
ransomware – along with other forms of hacking and cyber crime – is to not be a
victim in the first place. If you feel like your networks, email, and data aren’t
as safe as they could be, this is the perfect opportunity to get the help you
need.
Contact the technical experts at Kinetik IT in Phoenix today
to see how easy it is to get the protection and tech support your business
needs!