Malware attacks are getting more advanced in terms of methods, severity, and frequency. Once you connect to an online network, your device is susceptible to potential malware attacks. Some structured, advanced malware attacks like ransomware have been targeting corporations. Ransomware attacks are examples of malware attacks targeting organizations and more extensive networks. Fallen victims would have to pay for the ransom to get their valuable files back. Anyway, all malware attacks are malicious, and recovering from one’s is always challenging even though it’s still possible. Check how you can recover from malware attacks below.
1. Perform Isolation On Infected Devices
When it comes to devices connected to a network, you can localize malware infection by isolating that particular system. This response helps prevent malware or ransomware from spreading and infecting other devices in the network. You can do it by disconnecting the device from the network as soon as you detect the malware infection.
2. Make Sure To Do Backups
Data recovery is typically more important than anything else for the owners, but it could be the trickiest part. Advanced malware forms like ransomware would encrypt or delete data if the victims do not meet their requirements. At this point, backup is not likely possible, but whenever it is, you need to perform secure backups. Give your luck a chance and check the temporary file whether you can find the encryption keys. If it’s less advanced malware, you can do a deep scan with your anti-malware software before backing up files. Disconnect the backup storage from the active network as you’d need to do more observation the process completes.
3. Keep The File Logs
You might have considered hiring technicians or assigning your IT staff for managing the issues, but they can’t work without a clue. Some people may think it’s a good idea to run maintenance when infected by malware, but it’s not. If data recovery is what you’re looking for, maintenance procedure may wipe all possibility of a full recovery. Technicians may need clues contained in logs in temp files like encryption or other elements. Hold your scheduled maintenance until you have clearance about the backup possibility.
4. Perform System Backups For Decryption
After you localize the infection, you need to back up the system to prevent data loss and for a possibility of decryption. In severe cases like ransomware, the malware encrypts the files. In such cases, you can only achieve data recovery by decryption. However, decryption is so technical that the procedure may also leave the decrypted data corrupted. With upfront data backup, you can obtain better data integrity and leave you with spare master data to decrypt when the first attempts go wrong. This move also provides you or your IT technician with more flexibility to perform multiple decryption methods and obtain the best possible data recovery result.
5. Localize The Malware
If you can locate the malware infections your anti-virus software alerts you to, you need to localize it and do nothing. There is a better possibility of data recovery when you do nothing. First of all, you may not know what exactly malware strains infect your system. Deleting, reformating, moving the infected files, or spyware removal attempts may trigger spread and make it more contagious. Maybe you can altogether remove the localized infection, but you may also permanently delete the data. At this point, technicians would find it more challenging to perform data recovery, and you risk your valuable data further. On the other hand, a quarantined system would leave technicians with many clues to bring back your data. Today’s technicians and tools are reliable, but you need to ensure they provide them with something to work with.
6. Find The Source Of Infection
In a data recovery procedure, finding the source of infection is very important for malware protection in the future. There will be a trail of critical information about how the malware was infecting your system in the first place. On the other hand, technicians can also do forensic analysis using the activity logs and figure out how far the infection is in the network. It may not be easy because some advanced strains of malware incubate for a while without your knowledge. They then activate simultaneously to perform powerful attacks on a network. In worse cases, the attack can collapse the entire network and paralyze an organization. However, professional recovery technicians have the skills to give their best efforts in overcoming this malware infection.
7. Identify The Malware
After quarantining the infected system, you can use some tools to identify the malware that’s infecting your system. Some services are even able to identify advanced malware strains like ransomware. They work as a malware database where users can upload types of malware attack notes. You’d be directed to or suggested solutions like suitable decryption tools or recovery procedures whenever available. If you don’t hire a recovery expert, you may consider this solution.
8. Pay For The Ransom
When it comes to advanced ransomware attacking your company’s sensitive data, you should consider paying for the ransom. While some tools and recovery experts may help you recover from popular ransomware, they may not be able to work on recent malware attacks on your system. Whenever you find a dead-end in data recovery attempts, then you may consider paying for the ransom. If the expert recovery technicians can’t handle your case, you should stop all attempts, or it may trigger data deletion. However, consider again that they may use the funds for further cybercrime activities, and there’s no guarantee that the decryption tool would work.
If the recovery is successful, you need to read How to prevent malware attacks by employing better security on your network. Strengthen your security protocols and utilize top-notch anti-malware software for your devices. Investment in security may be a little bit expensive, but you’d get more reliable protection for your sensitive data.
9. Hire A Hacker To Recover Lost Data From Malware Attacks
Although this may seem like a last resort, it may be the only option available in extreme cases. You can hire a hacker to fight back and try to recover your stolen data. In this case, be sure you are hiring a licensed ethical hacker like Verified-Hackers with relevant CEH certifications. Finding a hacker to help you recover from malware attacks is also the best option to remain anonymous while fighting back.
