TECHNIQUES ON HOW TO COMBAT RANSOMWARE
Updated on October 21, 2022, by Xcitium
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files, systems, or entire networks and demands payment in exchange for restoring access. Modern ransomware attacks often include data theft, extortion, and operational disruption.
Today’s ransomware groups rarely rely on simple encryption alone. Many attacks now involve:
- Data exfiltration
- Double extortion
- Credential theft
- Lateral movement
- Remote access exploitation
- Supply chain compromise
Cybercriminal organizations increasingly operate under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, allowing affiliates to launch attacks using rented ransomware infrastructure.
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous threats in a digital security of the present times. Considered to be the most alarming threat because it is capable of encrypting your files and keeping you from accessing your own computer and data. It can be costly, especially if you are unaware of how to combat ransomware.
Dangers of Ransomware
In order to fight ransomware properly, you must first analyze what are the possible dangers you can encounter from ransomware. Once you have identified them, you will know how to combat ransomware accordingly.
Danger For Mobiles Devices
It is common to focus attention on securing the desktop or laptop computers than other devices. But not all know that even the mobile devices are susceptible to Ransomware attacks, including smartphones and tablets. Since the criminals knew that there are a lot of people are now using Android-based gadgets, they are targeting this OS to infect many targets.
Danger For Backups
Criminals are now improving their attacks by including the clean backups to be encrypted and impose a ransom for that. They knew that having a backup is one of the ways on how to combat ransomware, therefore, it’s their goal to compromise also the created backups. So if you want to learn how to combat ransomware, make sure to have a copy of multiple backups, both on the local computer and in cloud storage.
Danger For All Kinds of Operating Systems
People are used to the belief that it’s only the Windows computer are prone to viruses. That is not true anymore, today all can be attack by viruses and malware. Many ransomware are now created to attack Mac and Linux computers too. Criminals know that Linux has a small market share for desktop operating systems, but they are the majority market share in servers category.
Danger in Portraying to be Legitimate Software
The classic way of ransomware to enter and infect computers is by email attachments. Now, it has improved a lot. It develops multiple ways, if you are not familiar with how to combat ransomware, there is a big chance that your computer will be infected. Now, it poses to be a legitimate software present everywhere. Sometimes, it looks to be legit Windows update or useful applications and utilities. All of these are the method used to scatter ransomware on many mobile devices and computers. You really have to verify if the software you are downloading is legitimate and not ransomware.
Danger in Total Disk Encryption
Petya, the most prominent kind of ransomware that was discovered in 2016, infected lots of Windows users via email attachments. This ransomware was very brutal because it targeted the MBR(Master Boot Record) of Windows. Instead of encrypting the regular folder like My Documents, it encrypted the MBR so that the computer won’t be able to load any programs aside from the ransomware. In short, you won’t be able to use your computer starting from turning it on. Not unless you pay the ransom it asks.
Prevention
Securing your computer’s data and applications are the highest priority for your system. Whether you are running on Windows or other operating systems, desktop, laptop or even on a mobile device, you are susceptible to ransomware attacks. Learning how to combat ransomware is a must for everyone. As a solution, it is important to follow these 5 simple steps in securing your computer.
Make a regular clean copy of backup, in other disk and in cloud storage.
Make sure your operating system is regularly patched and updated.
Include all your running application in the computer on your software update.
Always be vigilant on any suspicious files sent to you.
Utilizing a mail filtering is a great advantage on how to combat ransomware.
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How Ransomware Attacks Work
Understanding the ransomware attack lifecycle helps organizations strengthen defenses before an incident occurs.
Common Stages of a Ransomware Attack
Initial Access
Attackers gain entry through:
- Phishing emails
- Malicious attachments
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) exploitation
- Stolen credentials
- Unpatched vulnerabilities
- Malicious browser downloads
Privilege Escalation
Attackers attempt to gain administrative access to move deeper into the environment.
Lateral Movement
The ransomware spreads across systems, servers, and endpoints.
Data Exfiltration
Sensitive data is stolen before encryption begins.
Encryption and Extortion
Files are encrypted and ransom demands are delivered.
Modern ransomware campaigns often threaten public data leaks if victims refuse to pay.
How to Combat Ransomware Attacks
Organizations need a layered cybersecurity strategy to combat ransomware effectively.
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Compromised credentials remain one of the most common ransomware entry points. MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
Critical systems requiring MFA include:
- VPN access
- Cloud platforms
- Email accounts
- Administrative accounts
- Remote access systems
2. Maintain Offline and Immutable Backups
Reliable backups are one of the strongest defenses against ransomware.
Follow the 3-2-1 backup strategy:
- Maintain 3 copies of data
- Store backups on 2 different media types
- Keep 1 backup offline or immutable
Organizations should regularly test restoration procedures to ensure backup integrity during an incident.
3. Deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Traditional antivirus solutions often fail to detect sophisticated ransomware attacks.
EDR and XDR solutions help organizations:
- Detect suspicious behavior
- Monitor endpoint activity
- Identify lateral movement
- Contain compromised devices
- Automate threat response
Behavior-based threat detection is especially important against fileless malware and zero-day ransomware variants.
4. Patch Vulnerabilities Quickly
Unpatched software vulnerabilities are a major ransomware attack vector.
Security teams should prioritize:
- Operating system updates
- VPN patches
- Firewall updates
- Third-party application security
- Internet-facing services
A structured vulnerability management program reduces exposure to exploit-based attacks.
5. Train Employees Against Phishing Attacks
Phishing remains one of the leading causes of ransomware infections.
Security awareness training should teach employees how to identify:
- Suspicious email attachments
- Fake login pages
- Social engineering attempts
- Malicious links
- Business email compromise (BEC)
Organizations that conduct regular phishing simulations improve employee threat awareness and reduce human error.
Ransomware Incident Response Checklist
Fast response is critical during a ransomware attack.
Step 1: Isolate Infected Systems
Immediately disconnect affected devices from:
- Internal networks
- Shared storage
- Wi-Fi networks
- Cloud synchronization services
Containment helps stop ransomware spread.
Step 2: Activate Incident Response Teams
Notify:
- Security operations teams
- IT administrators
- Executive leadership
- Legal counsel
- Cyber insurance providers
- External incident response partners
Step 3: Preserve Forensic Evidence
Collect:
- System logs
- Memory captures
- Ransom notes
- Malware samples
- Authentication records
Preserving evidence supports investigation and recovery efforts.
Step 4: Identify the Ransomware Variant
Determining the ransomware strain helps security teams:
- Assess attack behavior
- Evaluate decryption options
- Understand known indicators of compromise
- Improve remediation accuracy
Step 5: Restore Systems Securely
Restore systems only after:
- Malware removal
- Credential resets
- Vulnerability remediation
- Security validation
Restoring infected systems too early can lead to reinfection.
Should You Pay the Ransom?
Most cybersecurity authorities discourage paying ransomware demands because payment does not guarantee recovery.
Risks of paying include:
- No guarantee of decryption
- Additional extortion attempts
- Repeat targeting
- Funding criminal operations
- Regulatory complications
Organizations should consult legal, regulatory, and cybersecurity experts before making payment decisions.
Common Types of Ransomware
Crypto Ransomware
Encrypts files and demands payment for decryption keys.
Locker Ransomware
Locks users out of systems or devices.
Double Extortion Ransomware
Steals data before encryption and threatens public release.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
Allows affiliates to launch attacks using rented ransomware infrastructure.
Industries Most Targeted by Ransomware
Ransomware attackers frequently target:
- Healthcare
- Financial services
- Manufacturing
- Government agencies
- Education
- Critical infrastructure
- Retail organizations
Industries with sensitive data and operational dependencies face higher extortion pressure.
How Businesses Can Build Ransomware Resilience
Ransomware defense requires more than prevention alone.
Organizations should focus on resilience through:
- Business continuity planning
- Disaster recovery testing
- Threat hunting
- Security monitoring
- Network segmentation
- Backup verification
- Incident response exercises
- Cybersecurity awareness programs
Resilience reduces downtime and accelerates recovery after attacks.
How Zero Trust Security Helps Prevent Ransomware
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) limits attacker movement inside networks by enforcing strict identity and access controls.
Key Zero Trust principles include:
- Least-privilege access
- Continuous authentication
- Network segmentation
- Identity verification
- Device trust validation
- Microsegmentation
Zero Trust reduces the ability of ransomware operators to move laterally across environments.
Conclusion How To Combat Ransomware
Ransomware can have lots of tricky ways to infect your computer. Criminal are doing all available methods to harm people and get money from them. It is now our responsibility to learn how to combat ransomware and protect our devices. Cleaning, maintaining, and securing our computers should be in our daily routine as part of preparing for any ransomware attacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stop ransomware attacks?
Organizations can reduce ransomware risk through MFA, endpoint protection, offline backups, vulnerability management, phishing awareness training, and Zero Trust security.
What is the best defense against ransomware?
A layered security strategy combining prevention, detection, backup recovery, and incident response provides the strongest protection.
Can ransomware spread across a network?
Yes. Many ransomware variants use lateral movement techniques to infect additional systems and servers.
Should businesses pay ransomware demands?
Most security experts discourage payment because there is no guarantee attackers will restore access or delete stolen data.
What should you do first during a ransomware attack?
Immediately isolate infected systems to prevent the ransomware from spreading further.
Related Sources:
Trojan Virus
Ransomware Software
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