Ransomware Data Recovery in the Age of Hackers
If you’ve kept up with tech news within the last few months, you’ve likely heard about the influx of ransomware affecting thousands of businesses.
Programs, such as Locky or WannaCry, are costing companies billions of dollars in lost productivity and revenue.
These nasty bits of malware disguise themselves as everything from the FBI to trusted antivirus software. Once they’re in your system, they can be troublesome to get rid of.
What should you do if you’re targeted by ransomware attackers? Don’t pay, just recover your data!
Read on for some quick tips on ransomware data recovery that can save your business money and stress.
1. Ransomware Data Recovery 101: Always Backup Your Data
First and foremost, you should always make an effort to back up your data.
Whether you decide to back up to a physical hard drive or store your info on the cloud is up to you.
However, make sure that you always, always, always, backup. Doing so, especially in the case of a ransomware attack, can make it much easier to return to normalcy.
Spend some time with your IT department and ask about storage solutions.
Chances are they’ll have plenty of great recommendations to protect yourself from ransomware. Best of all, they’ll monitor your data.
That means that not only will your data be secured, it’ll be tested on a regular basis. Should disaster strike, all you have to do is restore your old data!
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With a little bit of preparation, you’ll be the hero of your company.
2. Don’t Panic
It’s understandable that your heart will drop when you first see a screen telling you that your files are gone. But try your best not to panic.
Take a deep breath and call your IT department. The good news is that there are tons of ways to get your computer operating normally.
Sometimes all it takes is a bit of virus removal software, such as Malwarebytes. Other times, the process will require a full system restore. If the latter is necessary, having your backed-up data will help immensely.
3. Never Pay The Ransom
Under no circumstances should you ever follow the instructions of the ransomware. The people who targeted your computer are criminals and shouldn’t be paid.
We’ll say it again, just in case you missed it: Never. Pay. Ransomware attackers.
These are criminals who prey on those who don’t understand technology. Don’t be embarrassed if you get tricked, just make sure not to give up your personal info.
4. Report Your Attack to The FBI
Finally, once you’ve restored your data, it’s time to hit back. Be sure to consult the FBI’s Cyber Crime website and give them the details of your attack.
If your computer fell victim, chances are you’re far from alone. Giving the FBI any and all relevant info can help make it easier to catch these cyber thugs.
Get Help With Your Ransomware Data Recovery
Whether you were hit with a ransomware attack in the past or you’re worried about the future, we can help. At Sagacent, we offer our patented Worry-Free IT solutions.
We know how stressful a virus can be, so let us take care of your networking systems. Get in touch to see how you can get our affordable monitored security service today.