The Symptoms of Ransomware Infection

Are you staring at a Ransom screen that’s trying to extort your business for cash to access critical data? If this has NOT YET happened – that is good news, very good news!
It means that your system is either clean of malware infection, or it is in the brief window of time (between infection and the demand for payment) in which you can still take action to mitigate negative effects.

Taking decisive action upon any indication of Ransomware infection can make all the difference when it comes to preserving business productivity, customer relationships, and reputation.

What are the signs?

Communication with members of your organization is critical to understanding security vulnerabilities and the origins of infection. Work with your team members to identify any of the following signs:

• Missing files
  If data is suddenly not where you'd expect to find it, unfamiliar files appear or there are missing files, this is an obvious red flag.
  
  
• Slowed computer operation
  Is your computer performance suddenly laggier than normal? It could be a variety of things, but malware is one possibility. It's time to verify backups and run a deep scan.
  
  
• System boot-up delay
  You should have a solid idea about how long it takes your computer to boot up. If this is taking longer than normal without any new software/driver installations, something is amiss.
  
  
• Limited access
  If you are locked into/out of your desktop or are unable to access specific files, disconnect from your network or attached drives immediately!
  
  
• Application crash
  If applications are crashing or failing to launch altogether, this could indicate that some or all of the application files have been encrypted.
  
  
• Antivirus programs bypassed
  If you find that your antivirus or anti-malware software has been inexplicably deactivated, removed, or bypassed - it's time to take action. 
  
  
• Increased system crashes
  Systems occasionally crash, however it should be a rarity. If you notice an increasing number of system crashes this may be an indication of infection.
  
  
• Strange email messages
  Are your friends and partners claiming to have received unexpected messages from you? Ransomware may have accessed your contacts as a way to perpetuate itself.

It's important to stay vigilant and watch for anything out of the ordinary when it comes to data security, but equally important to educate the others in your circle to do the same. Learn about the risks of Ransomware infection,  symptoms, prevention, and paths to recovery by downloading our free whitepaper "Emergency Response for Ransomware".