Ransomware infects your system using evasion techniques. Advanced types of ransomware are sometimes hard to detect for antivirus and antimalware software. As the ransomware is attacking businesses all over the world, it has become essential for companies to know how to recognize a ransomware attack. The hackers who create ransomware use military-grade encryption algorithms and social engineering tricks to break into your company’s computer system and block access to your data. The ransomware infects your files, and you wouldn’t be able to distinguish an infected file. Thus, it’s essential to educate yourself about the signs of a ransomware attack. The purpose of the ransomware attack is to decrypt your data in exchange for a payment. The attackers will usually ask you to pay a ransom using a crypto currency exchange platform.
With an increasing number of businesses becoming the victim of ransomware attacks, learning how to detect ransomware has become necessary for all the companies. This article lists down four ways detect if your system is infected by ransomware.
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1. Strong Encryption:
Ransomware attackers use unbreakable codes to encrypt your data that are not easy to break. The encryption blocks your access to the data, which can only be unlocked using the decryption code. Such ransomware can encrypt any type of file regardless of the format of the data. It means all kinds of data, including documents, audio, video, and other media files can be encrypted, and you won’t be able to decrypt it yourself. Thus, the ransomware locks an operating system with the help of unbreakable encryption. Ransomware impacts the access to use files, apps, and even desktop, thus completely blocking your data.
2. Data Loss:
The ransomware also uses the data extraction technique to steal your data from the infected computers. The attackers extract the data from your computers and send it to their servers. As a result, you end up losing your critical data. In order to prevent data loss due to a ransomware attack, back up your files so you can restore them. This way, your business operations will not be affected seven if ransomware has stolen your data. Thus, if a sudden data loss has occurred for no apparent reason, your system might have been infected by ransomware.
3. You Receive a Notice to Pay Ransom:
One of the first things you may receive when your computer gets infected by ransomware. A ransomware notice will appear stating that your database has been encrypted, and you have to pay ransom to gain access to the data. The ransomware can also attack and encrypt your dedicated servers, blocking your access to the critical data. Thus, receiving a notice to pay a ransom is a warning that your sensitive data is at stake. The ransomware notices are displayed across all your company’s networks as the hackers want you to pay the ransom.
4. Demand for Ransom Payment in Bitcoins:
Another sign that your computer network has been attacked by ransomware is that the hackers may ask you to pay the ransom in bitcoins. In fact, most ransomware attackers ask for cryptocurrency as payments to keep their identities anonymous. Also, cryptocurrency cannot be tracked by law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts. Cybercriminals use unique payment addresses to receive ransom from every victim.
