Ransomware Recovery: Restore Files from Cloud Data Backup in Edina and More
Ransomware attacks can be quite vicious, with the Wannacry attack being one of the best examples of what this form of cyberattack can do. In 2017, it infected hundreds of thousands of organizations and computer users that spanned across over 100 countries. The victims could not access important business and personal information unless they paid a ransom via bitcoin, which was hard to trace. Imagine if this happened to you without proper online data backup? This is when you’d see the value of a cloud data backup in Edina as a part of your cybersecurity measures.
Even if you have anti-virus and anti-malware programs in place, it still pays to know that you can handle your organization if a ransomware attack does succeed. Here are some pointers that can help you start the recovery after the attack, from assessing the malware’s impact to restoring files from your online data backup:
1. Secure unaffected data.
Examine the impact of the attack by taking a snapshot of the infected machine or device. This allows you to check which data have not been touched by the ransomware. Doing this will make it easier for you to trace where you should start over, especially where fixing the damage and restoring data are concerned. If you are worried that you might not execute this right, call on a professional backup service provider for help.
2.Determine what kind of ransomware was used in the attack and its impact.
You must know where the attack started. It could be via email or network. Doing so will help you identify which files could have been affected and stop the malware from spreading further. Check where the ransomware attached itself, the computer user that last modified it, and cross-check it with your audit logs. This level of tracing will help you find the point of origin. This information will help your provider of cloud data backup in Edina in investigating the attack.
3. Disconnect your devices and isolate the infected ones.
You can curb the propagation of the malware by disconnecting your computers, mobile devices, storage devices, and others linked to the network. This can help minimize the impact of the ransomware and the amount of work your online data backup providers would have to do for you.
4. Take a photo of the ransom note.
After the attack, there will likely be a note in the infected device, which usually includes the ransom amount and the payment arrangement. Take a photo of it. You’re going to need it when you talk to your backup service provider and the authorities.
5. Notify the authorities.
Once a ransomware attack targets you and it succeeds, you fall victim to a crime, which should be reported to law enforcement. Notifying them is a critical step in recovering from the incident just as much as hiring a reliable online data backup provider is as a preventive measure. If your business involves dealing with data from European Union citizens, you have to follow the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for instance. If you fail to report the incident to the authorities, you will be disobeying your industry’s cybersecurity rules. You will also waste the opportunity to use the law’s resources to help find the criminal. But depending on the demands of the attacker, getting law enforcement involved might cause them to act rashly and not return your data to you. Having a cloud data backup in Edina is not a good enough reason to ignore the authorities.
6. Notify affected customers.
This is one of the most dreaded steps in ransomware recovery – coming clean to your customers. It is embarrassing, especially if you think about your customers questioning your credibility and ability to protect their data from more cyber attackers in the future. But nondisclosure is essential and your customers might appreciate your transparency more. Make them feel as though you have nothing to hide. If you’ve long had an online data backup anyway, you can make it up to your customers by resuming regular operation after restoring your data.
7. Implement your disaster recovery plan.
If you have been diligent in working on your disaster recovery plan that involves a secure cloud data backup in Edina, this step in the recovery process should come easy. But make sure to follow your policy to the T still to avoid further problems.
8. Restore data from backups.
To minimize downtime, you may want to ask your backup service providers to start working on restoring data from your backups. However, there could also be a risk that the ransomware could have also found its way to your backups. Scan every file with anti-virus software first to avoid making the problem worse.
Network Medics
Work with our experienced IT specialists here at Network Medics. We have been providing cost-effective IT services for over a decade. We can walk you through the entire recovery process after a ransomware attack, prepare you for potential attacks with our anti-virus and anti-malware protection, and let you enjoy other managed IT services. If you are ready for a trustworthy IT partner and cloud data backup in Edina, contact us today at 612.315.1900!
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