Ransomware Removal

Ransomware removal explained

A ransomware attack can be one of the most daunting incidents that can occur in an organization. Sensitive data compromised, employees locked out of their computers, and mounting pressure to pay ransom can all be completely overwhelming.

Luckily ransomware is not necessarily the end-all-be-all for any organization. It is a costly threat that should be taken seriously and prevented, but rest assured that if your organization suffers a ransomware attack it is possible to remove the threat without paying ransom or cooperating with cyber criminals. This article will outline the process of removing ransomware and how you can best recover from a ransomware attack.

Can ransomware be removed?

There is not always a guarantee that you can remove ransomware, but there are many steps you can take to effectively get rid of ransomware's threat in the event of an attack. There are three main ways to get rid of ransomware: Prevent it with anti-ransomware, decrypt it if there is a decryptor available, isolate the threat so that it can't spread, and restore your data from a backup.

How to detect a ransomware attack

Early ransomware detection can significantly reduce the damage and prevent further spread across your network. Key signs to watch for include:

• Unusual system behavior – Encrypted files may be renamed or modified with unfamiliar extensions, making them inaccessible.
• Pop-up ransom notes – You might see a message demanding a ransom payment to restore access to your files.
• Inability to access files – Files or applications may suddenly be corrupted or locked, and users cannot open them.
• Suspicious network activity – Unexplained spikes in data transfer or other anomalies could indicate malicious activity.

To detect a ransomware attack quickly, it's important to regularly review network traffic for signs of abnormal activity that could indicate an attack. If you notice any of the above signs, disconnect the affected device from the network immediately to prevent further spread.

Ransomware removal method 1: Remove ransomware before it attacks

The best cyber security solutions can detect and remove ransomware before it even has a chance to infect your organization. This first line of defense is not always upheld by antivirus software, namely because ransomware is a unique threat that can disguise itself to both antivirus software and the untrained human eye.

Remove ransomware with anti-ransomware

Mimecast's anti-ransomware solutions monitor for ransomware across your entire network without suspending your operations. If an email containing ransomware is detected, it is automatically and immediately isolated for closer inspection. If marked safe it can continue to its intended destination, otherwise, the threat will remain removed.
 
Learn more about Mimecast's Anti-Ransomware solutions.

Ransomware removal method 2: Decryption key or decryptor

What is a decryption key?

A decryption key, also known as a Decryptor, is a cyber tool that essentially undoes the lock that ransomware has on your data or system. Decryption keys do not always exist, and are sometimes not effective on newer, more sophisticated ransomware threats.

How to get rid of ransomware with a decryptor

Sometimes cybercriminals will build decryptors for their own malware and promise to provide a decryption key upon the ransomware payment, but there is no guarantee that they will honor their agreement or that they actually have a decryption key. There have been many cases where a cybercriminal group obtains malware without its decryptor and disappears after receiving payment.

Sometimes decryption keys can be obtained from cyber security providers or law enforcement agencies that have developed their own decryption keys. This is one of many reasons why it's important to report ransomware and cooperate with law enforcement to bring cyber criminals to justice and better understand the malware so that they can help all victims recover their data.

Ransomware removal method 3: Isolating the threat

Isolating the threat essentially means containing the ransomware on one device so that it can't spread to others in your organization. Simply disconnecting any infected devices from the internet and each other will take away the cyber attacker's ability to control the attack remotely and also prevent it from spreading laterally to other devices.

Isolating the threat during a ransomware attack does not necessarily remove the malware, but it can remove potential of the ransomware attack to spread and exploit even more vulnerable areas of your organization.

Ransomware removal method 4: Restoring data

Backing up your data is perhaps the most crucial strategy that will help in removing ransomware attacks. So long as you have a backup of your data, cyber attackers have less power over your organization. You're always able to restore it and keep your organization moving while the appropriate departments and authorities handle the ransomware attack.

Cloud-based backups are best

Perhaps one of the main reasons why organizations have not historically made a good practice of backing up their data is that it can be difficult to implement backup protocols. On the one hand, everyone in the organization should be regularly backing up all of their data. On the other hand, where does one have room to store everything? And on top of that - are your backups secure from future attacks?

Mimecast offers a cloud-based backup system that remedies all three of those difficulties. Easy to implement with most major email systems, Mimecast automatically backs up data and stores it on a secure cloud-based system which is extremely difficult for cybercriminals to access, but conveniently available for your organization whenever you need it.

Removing ransomware proactively is always ideal, and for whenever malware manages to slip through the cracks, Mimecast has your back with secondary, tertiary, and subsequent lines of defense. In the ongoing fight against ransomware, the main concern is to ensure your organization is taking the necessary steps to keep the power in your hands. Together with Mimecast, organizations and enterprises can reinforce their cyber security solutions without compromising efficiency or ease of communication.

Together with Mimecast, organizations and enterprises can reinforce their cyber security and ransomware removal solutions without compromising efficiency or ease of communication.

See what difference Mimecast can make with your organization by scheduling a demo.