Steps to Recovering from a Malware Attack

Malware (shorthand for “malicious software”) is any intrusive software that can infiltrate your computer systems to damage or destroy them or to steal data from them. The most common types of malware attacks include viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

Malware attacks are pervasive and can be devastating to an unprepared business. Preparing for such attacks also means accepting the reality that eventually you will fall victim to one – and that you can then recover from it swiftly. This article will explore how to do that.

We can begin with ransomware. Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts its victim’s files, allowing the attacker to demand monetary payment in exchange for a decryption key. Cybercriminals use ransomware attacks to hold your data hostage and practice extortion. Typically the ransom is paid using cryptocurrency such as bitcoin to hide the identity of the attackers.

Most malware attacks are file-based, meaning that threat actors use executable (.doc, .zip, or .pdf) files that are embedded with malicious code. The goal of a malware attack is to fool users into opening those files, which will introduce the malicious script into your organization’s network to steal passwords, delete files, lock computers, pilfer data, and so forth.

Unlike traditional malware attacks, fileless malware attacks involve no files that cybersecurity software can scan, and are therefore harder to detect by conventional endpoint protection tools. In fileless malware attacks, attackers can achieve their goals even if the victim does nothing more than click on a malicious link or unknowingly visit a compromised website, usually followed by a phishing attack or social engineering attempt.

Over the years, malware and ransomware attacks have increased significantly. 2021 alone saw ransomware attacks perpetrated against Colonial Pipeline, the Steamship Authority of Massachusetts, JBS, and the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department.

In many of these cases, the inability to access encrypted files from the ransomware infection resulted in the shutdown of critical infrastructure. This led to shortages, increased costs of goods and services, financial loss due to shutdown of operations, and loss of money due to payment owed to ransomware attackers.

Research also suggests that healthcare organizations are particularly vulnerable to ransomware attacks. A study by Comparitech shows that ransomware attacks had a huge financial impact on the healthcare industry, with more than $20 billion in lost revenue, lawsuits, and ransom paid in 2020.

Ransomware and malware affect all industries. Malware is clearly a major threat to businesses in all sectors, and the first step to protecting your organization from malware attacks is to understand how malware and ransomware work.

Ultimately, how you respond to a security incident such as a malware attack should be documented in a business continuity plan (BCP), and more specifically as part of your disaster recovery (DR) strategy.

Your disaster recovery plan (DRP) should consist of a set of policies, tools and procedures that will help your organization to resume the operation of vital technology systems following a natural or human-induced disaster.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the signs of a malware attack, the steps you can take after a malware attack, as well as some methods for prevention including how to develop a robust data protection strategy that’s right for your business.

Signs of a Malware Attack

Before we introduce the steps to recover from a malware attack, we first need to describe some of the signs you should look for when trying to identify a malware attack. It isn’t always obvious when you’ve been the target of a malware infection.

Here are some things you should look out for if you think you may have experienced a malware attack:

Slow Devices

A slow operating system (or one that freezes or crashes often) can be an indication of a malware infection. Malware viruses usually run in the background on your system and interfere with other programs, eating up your processing power. If you notice that your devices are running slower than usual (and especially if it’s a newer device), you should have the device inspected by your IT team or an information security specialist.

Login Lock Out

Many malware programs, especially ransomware, will lock you out of your own system or deny access to certain files until you pay a sum of money. Ransomware attacks will typically identify themselves when they demand a ransom in exchange for a decryption key, but even if you don’t see a ransom note, the sudden inability to log in to your computer is a red flag for a possible malware attack.

Unusual Error Messages

Some malware viruses will send error messages to prompt users to grant even further systems permissions or to authorize more downloads. These messages will often attempt to mimic your computer’s error messages – but look for something off stylistically or grammatically. If you get a message you don’t recognize, or one that seems strange, you should first try Googling for the exact wording of the message to see if it’s associated with any malware. Even if you can’t find anything online, a mysterious and recurring error message is a good reason to have your device inspected for malware.

Pop-up Interruptions

Annoying pop-ups that interrupt your work with alarming messages or advertisements aren’t just irritating; they’re an indication of a malware virus on your device. If you suddenly start getting inundated with pop-up messages, it’s likely that you’ve fallen victim to a malware attack.

Browser Changes

When a virus infects your web browser, it inserts itself onto the pages you visit on the internet and can sometimes even change your settings without your approval. If you notice any suspicious behavior on your browser – such as your homepage suddenly being set to a different website, a new extension appearing next to your search bar, or new bookmarks being added to your browser menu – it’s probably a warning sign of a malware attack.

Strange Icons or Programs

Some malware viruses will also install some sort of program on your device that tries to pass itself off as legitimate. Any programs or applications that you don’t recognize or don’t remember downloading should be cause for concern.

Spontaneous Restarts or Shut Downs

If your computer spontaneously shuts down and restarts itself, it’s possible that you have a malware virus. If you notice it happening repeatedly and without warning, you should talk to your system administrator or an IT specialist about the possibility of a malware attack.

Antivirus Alerts

Some of the more clever malware viruses also come with self-defense mechanisms to prevent themselves from being quarantined or removed. One such mechanism is to disable any antivirus programs that run on your devices. If you see such an unprompted warning (especially after you’ve recently activated software) it’s a sign that something is probably wrong.

System Tools Disabled

Another common defense mechanism for malware viruses is to lock users out of their control panel to prevent them being able to check the system settings that would alert them to what’s wrong with their device. If you try to check your control panel and get a message saying that only system administrators are allowed access, it’s another possible sign of a malware infection.

Nothing at All

Unfortunately, most malware viruses go out of their way to avoid detection. Some even remove other viruses on your device to assure that they don’t blow their cover. The longer these malware viruses are on your system, the more information they’re able to glean, and the more dangerous they become.

Even if nothing seems wrong, you should still run regular checks on your computer and invest in antivirus and antimalware protection. You should also keep your computer up to date, especially with security updates. And be wary of any suspicious websites, emails, or advertisements online that might trigger a malware download.

Steps to Recover from a Malware Attack

Let’s say you have been attacked, and you recognize some of the signs that we described above. What’s next?

Here are the steps you should take if you’ve been on the receiving end of a malware attack:

1. 1.Isolate
   • ​To prevent the malware infection from spreading, you’ll first need to separate all the infected devices from each other, shared storage, and the network. Disconnect the device from the network (both wired and Wi-Fi) and from any external storage devices. Treat all connected and networked devices with suspicion and apply measures to ensure that all your systems are not infected.
2. 2.Identify
   • ​Try to identify which malware strain you’re dealing with by examining any messages, evidence on the computer, and using identification tools. Identifying the type of malware and the date of the malware attack will also help you report it to the proper authorities.
3. 3.Report
   • ​Reporting a malware attack to the authorities will help you (and others) support and coordinate measures for counter attack. The FBI urges ransomware victims in particular to report ransomware incidents, regardless of the outcome.
4. 4.Consider Your Options
   • ​You can deal with a malware attack in several ways:
     • ​Pay the ransom. Generally it’s considered poor form to pay ransom for a data decryption key for a number of reasons. First, this encourages more ransomware. Second, even if you do pay the ransom, it’s likely you won’t get your data back anyway.
     • ​Remove the malware. There are a number of internet sites and software packages that claim to be able to remove malware from systems; whether this is actually possible is up for debate. There isn’t any guarantee that decryption tools will work for every known variant, and the more sophisticated the malware, the less likely it is that a decryption tool will help.
     • ​Wipe the system and start from scratch. This is the surest way to remove malware or ransomware for good. Completely wiping all of your storage devices and reinstalling everything from scratch will include formatting your hard disks to assure that no remnants of malware remain. Ideally before this step happens, you should have enforced a strict backup policy, so you should already have copies of all your critical data up to the time of infection.
5. 5.Restore and Refresh
   • ​No matter what you decide to do after a malware attack, you’ll need to rely on safe backups and program software sources to restore your computer or outfit a new platform. If you are the victim of a malware attack and you don’t have a consistent backup system, it’s time to develop one. Your backup procedures and processes should be thoroughly documented in your disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
6. 6.Plan for Prevention
   • ​The most effective way to protect your systems against malware is to prevent it from being installed in the first place. After an attack, you should make an assessment of how the infection occurred and consider what you can do to put measures into place that will prevent it from happening again. Develop a robust data protection strategy that includes:
     • ​Data inventory. Inventory your data to determine how it should be categorized and where it should be stored.
     • ​Endpoint identification. Know where your endpoints are and categorize them to determine their priority.
     • ​A Data recovery plan. Create a data recovery plan for all assets and data, and prioritize those that are mission-critical.
     • ​Backup protection. Ensure that your backups are protected and accessible.
     • ​Duplicated offsite data. Store at least one copy either offline, offsite, or both.
     • ​Tools to help. Consider cybersecurity solutions that can help you recover your systems and your data after a malware attack.

Mitigate Cyber Risks with ZenGRC

The key to a successful cybersecurity program is knowing when to ask for help. Cybersecurity is a complicated practice that requires in-depth knowledge and understanding of cyber risks and how to mitigate them. You need a solution that can help take the guesswork out of cyber risk management.

ZenGRC is an integrated cybersecurity risk management solution designed to provide you with actionable insights to gain the visibility you need to stay ahead of threats and communicate the impact of risk on high-priority business initiatives. Built-in expertise identifies and maps risks, threats, and controls for you, so you can spend less time setting up the application and more time using it.

A single, real-time view of risk and business context allows you to communicate to the board and key stakeholders in a way that’s framed around their priorities, keeping your risk posture in sync with the direction your business is moving.

ZenGRC will notify you automatically of any changes or required actions, so you can be on top of your risk posture. Eliminate time-consuming, manual work and streamline collaboration by automating workflows and integrating with your most critical systems.

ZenGRC is seamlessly integrated so you can leverage your compliance activities to improve your risk posture with the use of AI. ZenGRC gives you the ability to see, understand, and take action on your IT and cyber risks.

Now, through a more proactive approach, you can give time back to your team with ZenGRC. Talk to an expert today to learn more about how ZenGRC can help your organization mitigate cybersecurity risk and stay ahead of threats.