How to Detect Ransomware

Malware is rampant nowadays, and with the average cost of an attack being $2.4 million, you have good reason to be concerned. All it takes is one misclick and your organization can be paying out $2.4 million.

To help combat malware, it helps to learn about it. In this article, we’ll tell you how to detect ransomware, the steps you can take to get rid of it, and what you can do to prevent future attacks.

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What is ransomware?

Have you ever wondered what is ransomware? Ransomware is a type of malware. When it’s on your computer, it’ll prevent you from opening any files. The scammer has done this by encrypting everything on your device.

You’ll receive a message from the cybercriminal asking for a ransom; if you pay it, they’ll unlock your files with their unique decryption key. The asked-for ransoms are usually hundreds of dollars, so it may set your organization back if you pay it.

Usually, ransomware gets onto your computer through a method called phishing.

What is phishing?

Phishing is a type of social engineering that infiltrates your network. Instead of using traditional methods of hacking, cybercriminals trick you into letting them in. They do this by masquerading as a trusted individual or institution, such as your bank.

By creating a clever email, scammers can get you to click on a malicious link, which then installs ransomware onto your computer.

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How can I detect ransomware?

Since ransomware sneaks into your computer through phishing, the only way to really detect the ransomware is by seeing it for yourself. When your device is infected, you’ll know right away, since you can’t access anything.

Instead, you should look for ways to detect phishing. The primary giveaways of phishing emails are:

  • Poor spelling and grammar. The syntax may seem off as well.
  • Email addresses and display names that closely resemble those in your address book; they may be one or two letters off.
  • They’re unexpectedly asking you to click on a link or download a file.

How can I get rid of ransomware?

There are several ransomware removal tools you can utilize. Here are three main ones that vary in their effectiveness.

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Pay the ransom

If you have the money to spare, you can consider getting Bitcoin and paying the cybercriminal. If you already have a wallet, this should be simple to do. Otherwise, it may take a little time to set up.

If the scammer holds up their end of the deal, this can be one of the simplest ways to get rid of ransomware. However, it’s been found that nearly half of the companies who paid ransoms did not get their files decrypted.

Find decryption tools

By inputting the name of the ransomware on your computer, you might be able to find some decryption tools available for download. Many cybersecurity companies have banded together to help people like you fight against cybercriminals, so you may be lucky enough to find the right decryption tools to get rid of both the malware and ransomware.

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Roll your computer’s system back

This ransomware attack solution involves some data loss; how much is determined by how long ago your last backup was. If it was recent, then the data loss will be negligible. However, if you’ve never backed up your files, this can be quite devastating to your organization.

By doing any sort of backup, you render ransomware ineffective, since you recall a version of your computer that doesn’t have the malware on it. Make sure you always back up your data regularly, so you can roll back to a recent version in the event of any type of serious malware.

How can I prevent ransomware?

The best way to fight against ransomware is to prevent it from happening in the first place. A good start to prevention is to be vigilant when it comes to phishing. Make sure you have good workplace training, so everyone knows the signs of phishing emails as listed above.

Having a cybersecurity officer on staff is helpful as well; they can provide ongoing training sessions and even administer fake phishing tests to keep your workers on their toes.

Another thing you can add to your cybersecurity is ransomware protection services. With this niche service, you’ll get round-the-clock protection. The software can check both links and email attachments in real-time, so if there’s anything malicious, it’ll be blocked if you click on it.

By combining workplace awareness, antivirus programs, and ransomware protection software services, your organization will stand a chance when it comes to sophisticated ransomware attacks. Although you’ll have to invest in these prevention methods, it’s certainly less than what you’d be losing in the case of a successful ransomware attack.

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