When ransomware strikes, it can be devastating for organisations of all sizes and sectors. Businesses dished out over $1 billion in ransom payments for the first time in 2023 – and this year is expected to be even worse as cyber-attacks spike.
For some victims of ransomware, paying ransom demands can seem preferable to facing the consequences of leaving their IT systems and organisational data in the hands of cybercriminals.
Data breaches dominate headlines, and for organisations handling large amounts of sensitive data, such as government agencies, corporations, law firms, etc., a breach can result in hefty fines and a tattered reputation.
However, there are many other ways to recover your data when ransomware strikes that don’t involve surrendering to hacker demands.
What is a ransomware attack?
A ransomware attack is a type of cybercrime in which malicious software, or malware, is used to encrypt a victim’s data, making it inaccessible. The attacker then demands a ransom, often in cryptocurrency, in exchange for providing a decryption key to restore access.
Ransomware attacks often exploit vulnerabilities in systems, such as outdated software, weak passwords, or phishing emails that trick users into downloading malicious attachments. Once inside the system, the ransomware spreads across the network, encrypting files or locking users out of their devices.
The impact of ransomware can be devastating for both individuals and organisations. Critical files—such as financial data, healthcare records, or intellectual property—can be held hostage, causing significant operational disruptions and financial losses.
In many cases, even if the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that the attacker will restore access to the data or that the system will be fully secure afterwards.
Ransomware attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent, targeting businesses, hospitals, government institutions, and even individuals. This contributes to the growing need for robust cybersecurity measures and awareness to prevent and mitigate such attacks.
Why do so many organisations surrender to ransomware demands?
When a ransomware attack occurs, businesses often face the immediate paralysis of their systems, rendering them unable to access essential files or continue functioning normally. This can lead to financial losses, customer dissatisfaction, and reputational damage.
For industries that rely heavily on data, such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, the cost of downtime may far exceed the ransom demand. As a result, paying the ransom can seem like the quickest, albeit risky, solution to minimize losses and resume operations.
Another reason organisations capitulate is the lack of effective data backup or disaster recovery plans. If backups are outdated or insufficient, the affected organisation may have no alternative way to retrieve its data, making paying the ransom the only apparent option.
Some organisations may also underestimate the sophistication of the attack and believe that paying the ransom is a guaranteed way to regain control of their systems. In some cases, they may feel that the potential legal and reputational fallout from prolonged system downtime is worse than the moral or security risks associated with negotiating with criminals.
However, paying the ransom does not always ensure that data will be restored or that systems will be secure, and it often encourages attackers to strike again, either at the same organisation or others.
Instead, it’s better to respond to ransomware using a ransomware data recovery plan that not only provides a way to recover your data but also prevents you from engaging with cyber criminals.
Five Ways to Recover data after a ransomware attack (without negotiating with cybercriminals)
1. Restore data from Backups
Restoring from backups is the most reliable and straightforward way to recover data without paying the ransom. The key to success here is having frequent, secure, and isolated backups that the ransomware hasn’t infected. Regular automated backups, stored both off-site and offline, help ensure data integrity. This process works best when backups are “air-gapped” or protected by robust network segmentation, meaning they are isolated from the primary network to prevent infection.
Example:
A hospital’s network is hit by ransomware, locking access to patient records and medical systems. Fortunately, the IT department has been maintaining daily backups stored in an off-site location. Instead of paying the ransom, they wipe the infected machines, reinstall the operating systems, and restore data from the most recent backup, minimizing downtime and data loss. Having a solid backup strategy enabled them to recover quickly.
2. Use Decryption Tools
Many cybersecurity firms and law enforcement agencies collaborate to release free decryption tools for specific ransomware strains. These tools target known vulnerabilities in the encryption algorithms used by the ransomware. However, decryption tools are only effective if they match the particular strain of ransomware that has infected the system. Resources like the “No More Ransom” project, created by the European Cybercrime Centre, Kaspersky Lab, and McAfee, provide a variety of free decryption keys for public use.
Example:
A small law firm is hit by the “TeslaCrypt” ransomware, encrypting all their files. Instead of paying the ransom, they search for a solution and find a decryption tool provided by the “No More Ransom” initiative. The tool successfully unlocks their files without any payment to the hackers, as TeslaCrypt had already been cracked and the decryptor was made public.
3. Use Data Recovery Software
If the ransomware attack did not involve complete encryption or deletion of files, certain data recovery software tools might help retrieve lost or inaccessible data. These tools, such as “Recuva” or “EaseUS Data Recovery,” can sometimes retrieve deleted or corrupted files from storage devices. While not effective against robust encryption, this method can work if the ransomware did not fully complete its encryption process or if certain types of files were only marked for deletion.
Example:
A media company is attacked by ransomware, but instead of encrypting files, the malware deletes several key video files. Using a data recovery software tool like “Disk Drill,” the IT team is able to retrieve the deleted files from their hard drives, as the ransomware did not securely erase the data, allowing the software to recover it from the disk sectors.
4. Rebuild Systems from Scratch
When backups are unavailable or compromised, and decryption tools are not an option, organizations may need to completely rebuild their systems. This involves wiping all affected devices and starting from scratch by reinstalling the operating system, applications, and configurations. Any clean, uninfected data (like paper copies or non-compromised digital files) can be reloaded onto the new systems. While this approach results in downtime and potential data loss, it ensures that the ransomware is eradicated.
Example:
A small manufacturing company falls victim to ransomware, and all systems are locked, including servers and workstations. They don’t have up-to-date backups or access to decryption tools, so they decide to wipe their systems clean. The IT team wipes the entire network, reinstalls operating systems, and configures the necessary software from scratch. Although it takes several days, the company is confident the ransomware has been completely removed, and their clean restart prevents future attacks from lingering malware.
5. Engage Professional Incident Response Teams
For complex or widespread ransomware attacks, involving a professional incident response (IR) team can be the best option. These teams are experts in handling cyberattacks, assessing the scope of the damage, containing the threat, and helping recover data without paying the ransom.
They also have access to sophisticated forensic tools, legal expertise, and established relationships with cybersecurity agencies. Incident response teams also help harden an organization’s systems after recovery, ensuring better protection against future attacks.
Example:
A large financial institution is hit by a highly sophisticated ransomware attack, affecting hundreds of machines and critical systems. Given the scale of the attack, they call in a professional incident response team from a cybersecurity firm. The team isolates the infected systems, identifies the specific ransomware strain, assists with data recovery from uninfected backups, and advises the company on improving its security infrastructure to prevent future incidents. The involvement of experts helps the organization minimize long-term damage and avoid future vulnerabilities.
Ransomware data recovery services
At SIP, we are committed to ensuring total data integrity throughout the entire recovery. Our experienced cyber security specialists are dedicated to providing quick, efficient, and cost- effective data recovery services with minimal interruption.
Our team of decryption experts will guide you through our detailed engineering process to recover your data and get your business back up and running. We will provide a detailed presentation and quotation for our diagnostics process and recovery services, as well as personalised security measures to enhance the security of your systems and data.
In addition to our data recovery services, SIP offers a comprehensive investigation service designed to identify the parties responsible for the attack. Our investigation approach is informed by the intelligence gathered during the analysis of the infiltration method, as well as any other information discovered during the forensic recovery process.
