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Cyber-attacks have always been one of the biggest menaces of the internet world. Businesses are continuously dealing with this internet security issue through various prevention and recovery solutions. Since the outburst of the COVID-19, the frequency of these attacks has increased many folds, and ransomware attacks are making news in daily headlines. A typical ransomware attack on a company results in lost access to data and control of systems for some period of time. The ransomware operators demand a ransom amount for returning this control. But you have some other methods of ransomware recovery too.
The success of recovery from a ransomware attack depends upon the preemptive measures you took and getting started in cyber security solutions. This is because when ransomware enters into one of your systems, it can infect all the systems and databases connected with it. Even the advanced security system, you thought invincible, can be compromised on the way. Hence, you can take measures to avoid ransomware to some extent but you must also have a plan for recovery. If you want to learn some ways of data recovery in the event of a ransomware attack, continue reading!
How Can Ransomware Get on Your Computer?
The following are the most common ways through which ransomware can enter into your systems and network,
Email Phishing:
This is one of the oldest, yet most common methods, cybercriminals are using to launch their cyber-attacks. Emails containing malicious links or infected attachments are bombarded to the employees of the company cybercriminals want to target. And when an employee clicks on the link or installs that attachment, the process of ransomware starts.
Malvertising:
Another very popular method of infection is malvertising (malicious advertising). In this method, cybercriminals take advantage of the same tools and infrastructures used to display legitimate ads on the web. Typically, the attackers purchase ad space on a legitimate site, which is linked to an exploit kit. The ad might be a provocative image, a message, a notification, or an offer for free software. And clicking on this persuasive ad begins the process of a ransomware attack.
Drive-by Downloads:
It can be referred to as any download that occurs without your knowledge. Ransomware operators make use of drive-by downloads by mostly hosting the malicious content on their own site. And when you visit the infected website, the malicious content analyzes your device for specific vulnerabilities and automatically executes the ransomware in the background.
Pirated Software Applications:
Ransomware often spreads through pirated software. Some cracked software applications come bundled with adware, which may be hiding ransomware. In addition, websites that host pirated software may be more susceptible to malvertising or drive-by downloads. Hence, downloading and installing pirated software increases the risk of ransomware infection.
5 Methods You Can Try for Ransomware Recovery:
Recovery methods are good but as the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure, you should install the most advanced security for your data. There are a number of ways through which you can recover your data and systems after a successful ransomware attack, but here we have pointed some of the easiest to do methods,
Recover from Backups:
Recovering your data from the backups is the quickest way to go online again. But for this method to work, you must have kept backups of your sensitive data. Furthermore, these backups should also be secured from ransomware otherwise there is no use in recovering your data. You can ensure the safety of backups by either keeping your backups offline or at least offsite. And before trying this method, make sure with the help of cyber security solutions, you have removed the virus. Because the virus will infect the new data otherwise.
Use of Data Recovery Software:
The ransomware operators often make copies of your original files; encrypt these copies and delete the original files. You can use data recovery software applications to recover those original files. Sometimes this method works and other times not.
Window Restore Method:
You can also use the window restore method to recover your files. Although this method doesn’t get you all of your files it can give you something to start with. And from this data, you can create the rest of the files.
Recover from Physical Files:
If you have kept hard copies of your data in your company, you can use these files to reproduce your data. This method is very lengthy, yet it is better than paying ransom to internet extortionists.
Use Emails and other Collaborations:
You can do ransomware recovery with the help of your correspondence with your clients and within the organizations. These emails can help you reproduce your files to some extent.