Hit by ransomware? Here’s what to do immediately

Ransomware attacks can devastate small businesses, locking critical files and demanding a ransom payment. If your company is victimized by ransomware, knowing how to respond quickly and effectively can minimize damage and help you recover your operations.

The best defense: taking precautions beforehand

While this guide focuses on responding to a ransomware attack, prevention is always the best strategy. Businesses should implement strong email security, update software, use multi-factor authentication, back up data regularly, restrict user privileges, deploy endpoint protection, and secure remote access.

Additionally, having a well-documented incident response plan is critical. This plan should outline your team's steps during a ransomware attack, including communication protocols, system isolation procedures, and recovery strategies. Being prepared with a structured approach can significantly reduce downtime and help mitigate the impact of an attack.

And, of course, we recommend implementing a security platform like Upfort Shield, which delivers enterprise-strength security to small businesses of any size. These steps can significantly reduce the risk of a ransomware attack. However, if an attack does occur, here’s what you need to do next.

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Immediate steps after a ransomware attack

Isolate the infected systems: To prevent the ransomware from spreading further, immediately disconnect affected devices from the network. To contain the infection, disable shared drives and network connections.

Do NOT pay the ransom: Paying the ransom does not guarantee file recovery and may encourage further attacks. Instead, report the attack to law enforcement agencies (e.g., the FBI or CISA in the US) to help track cybercriminal activities.

Identify the type of ransomware: Determine whether the ransomware strain is known and whether a decryption tool is available. Resources like No More Ransom offer free decryption tools for certain ransomware types. Document ransom notes, file extensions, and any attacker contact information for further analysis. It’s also advisable to consult with a breach coach, a cybersecurity expert or a legal professional experienced in guiding businesses through ransomware incidents. A breach coach can help assess the situation, coordinate with response teams, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Restore from backups: If secure backups are available, remove the ransomware before restoring your data. Verify the integrity of your backups to ensure they have not been compromised.

Strengthen security post-attack: Conduct a full security audit and address identified vulnerabilities. Improve your security posture by implementing employee cybersecurity awareness training and stronger endpoint protection and monitoring tools to prevent future incidents.

Final thoughts

A ransomware attack can be a nightmare for small businesses, but a swift and strategic response can minimize the impact. Being prepared with a solid cybersecurity plan and a recovery strategy will help ensure your business can bounce back quickly if hit by ransomware.

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