Your files are locked and a hacker is demanding payment to unlock files. Here is exactly what to do and what not to do.
Imagine a situation, your computer screen is showing a ransom demand in bitcoin in next 48 hours. A message is showing that all of your documents, photos and data is encrypted. If you will not pay, all of your data will be sold on dark web. This is a panic situation. What do you do? Who do you call?
Welcome to What-if Wednesday, where we prepare you for digital emergencies before they happen in your life. Let's learn what to do if you get a ransom demand.
You need an immediate action plan after receiving a ransom demand. The first step is to immediately disconnect any infected computer and servers from the network to prevent the malware from spreading further to your devices.
Do not open any attachments or click the links in the emails and report to your IT department. If you suspect an infection, disconnect affected systems from the internet to limit the damage.
The decision to pay the ransom is highly discouraged because paying encourages the criminals. There is no guarantee the attackers will restore access to your data even after payment. It is a estimate that 92% of organization fails to restore data. Furthermore, attackers often retain stolen data and sell it to on the dark web that leads to long term reputation and financial damage.
Instead of paying ransom, focus on recovery option. If you have offline backup or in the cloud, you can restore your systems to pre attack state. It is a most effective recovery method. Regularly backing up data is one of the most effective ways to recover without paying.
You can also remove ransomware with anti-ransomware software or tools. If you are considering paying ransom, it should only be done after a thorough risk assessment and with the support of an incident response team who may negotiate to facilitate the process.
Ultimately, the best defense is preparing yourself before being attacked. Always backup your data. It will keep you safe.
Stay Smart, Stay Safe!!!