Well, to keep it brief – absolutely! Two weeks ago, I got a call from my neighbor, who runs a small business. He asked if there was a way to wave a magic wand and make encryption ransomware disappear, returning his precious data. After a thorough investigation, we discovered he was the lucky winner of a ransomware lottery named “Locky.”
Ransomware loves to grab files and tack on strange extensions, like a digital graffiti artist. Think of files suddenly renamed “.rocky” or something equally cryptic. That’s the signature move of ransomware.
After locking up your files tighter than a miser’s wallet, the ransomware leaves behind a delightful ransom note. This charming message usually pops up as a text file, an HTML file, or another form of digital sign saying, “Pay up if you want your stuff back!” It often includes a detailed guide on how to donate to the cybercriminals’ holiday fund or how to contact them if you’re feeling chatty.
Encrypted files laugh in your face when you try to open them, flashing error messages and mocking your helplessness. These ransomware geniuses use robust encryption algorithms, so trying to decrypt the files without their golden key is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded.
As it locks away your data, ransomware kicks your system’s resources into turbo mode, causing a noticeable system slowdown. But who notices these things? Most people are busy playing Solitaire or binge-watching cat videos.
When we identified the ransomware as “Locky,” we discovered there’s no magical decryptor available. So, we told my neighbor to save all the encrypted data, like keeping fossils for future forensics – maybe a hero decryptor will emerge one day.
So, what should you do when you find out you’ve been hit by this digital menace?
- Isolate the Affected System: Yank that network cable out faster than you can say “ransomware” to stop the spread.
- Restore from Backup: Cross your fingers and hope you have a clean backup to restore your precious data from.
- Contact Security Experts: When in doubt, call in the nerds – cybersecurity professionals can offer a lifeline.
- Report to Authorities: File a report with law enforcement. It might help your insurance claim, and hey, maybe they’ll catch the bad guys!
You guessed it; my neighbor had no recent backup. The latest backup was a month old, leaving them with a month’s worth of missing contracts and financial records. Even for a small business, that’s a significant hit.
To avoid future mishaps, we embarked on a backup strategy overhaul.
First, we introduced the classic 3-2-1 backup rule:
- 3 Copies of Your Data: Three copies keep your data dancing – the original and two backups. We opted for a NAS, LTO Tape, and Wasabi (the cloud storage provider, not the sushi condiment).
- 2 Different Media Types: It’s like a mixed-media art project! Store backups on two different media types. We used a NAS, a tape drive, and also created a “WORM” storage with Wasabi to ensure ransomware can’t snack on the backups.
- 1 Offsite Backup: Keep one backup safely away, like a precious artifact. My neighbor now can take a tape or one of the NAS HDDs (courtesy of ASUSTOR My Archive) offline and offsite.
Next, we equipped all the machines with an up-to-date anti-virus solution, like giving them all flu shots. But the crux of the plan was educating co-workers and employees — surprisingly, the hardest part is getting everyone on board the cyber-safety train.
What’s your strategy for protecting your personal or company data? Drop a line; I’d love to hear about your fortress of digital solitude!