Ransomware is malware that blocks access to systems, usually by encrypting files, then demands payment for restoration. Many modern ransomware operations also steal data and threaten to leak it, turning an outage into a breach response problem.
For most victims, the hardest part is not the ransom note. It is making good decisions early: containment, evidence preservation, and restoring from clean backups without reinfecting the environment.
Why ransomware matters for recovery
Ransomware often breaks the control plane first. Attackers compromise identity systems, remote access, and admin accounts, then use those positions to spread encryption quickly. Recovery succeeds when you can stop lateral movement, rotate credentials, and restore from known-good backups.
Rule of thumb: Treat ransomware as a containment incident before it is a restore incident. If it is still spreading, every restore attempt becomes temporary.
Common entry points
- Stolen passwords, often followed by VPN or remote desktop access
- Phishing that steals sessions or delivers malware
- Unpatched, internet-facing services
- Excessive permissions that let one compromised account reach everything
Common failure modes and misconceptions
- Assuming encryption is the only damage: data theft and credential theft can continue after systems are restored.
- Relying on SMS-based recovery: phone-number takeover can let attackers reset accounts during the incident.
- Backups that are not tested: untested backups often fail when you need them most.
Safe best practices
- Require strong authentication on all remote access and privileged accounts (see two-factor authentication (2FA)).
- Keep offline or immutable backups and test restores regularly.
- Patch internet-facing services quickly and reduce exposed services where possible.
- Separate admin accounts from daily-use accounts and review permissions.
- Keep incident notes, preserve logs, and avoid wiping evidence before scoping is complete.
Related guides
- How to protect your business from ransomware
- Business attacked with ransomware
- Linux ransomware: notorious cases and ways to protect
Ransomware is a forcing function. The controls that feel like overhead during normal operations, identity hygiene, backups, patching, and logging, are what determine whether you recover in days or rebuild for months.