So, You’ve Been Hacked. Now What?
If you’ve just joined the increasingly popular ‘we’ve been hacked’ club, then you’re certainly not alone. In fact, with ransomware attacks like WannaCry and major data breaches making the headlines, last year has been particularly rough for cybersecurity. And just in case you were starting to get your hopes up, more threats will appear in 2018 and beyond.
Whether your company has been scammed or had malware installed on its computers, there are a few things you’ll need to do right away to minimize the damage.
Recognize Attacks and Disconnect Your Network
In the past, hackers didn’t waste time bragging about their exploits. Now, most of them keep a low profile to carry out sustained cyberattacks. While a modern hack is much harder to detect, common signs include suspicious files appearing out of nowhere and your internet becoming mind-numbingly slow.
As soon as you notice these, disconnect your computer from the internet right away. Doing so will help prevent more damage while also giving you a chance to determine how the hacker managed to access your systems in the first place.
While you’re at it, you should deauthorize all apps and log out of any accounts to prevent hackers from getting easy access to everything.
Find the Attack Point
While you’re going around fixing things and trying not to have a stroke, you should ask yourself how the attacker got into your network. Most data breaches are ultimately caused by human error, so you’ll probably want to start grilling your employees.
Make sure you scan your systems as well to find out where the attack first reached your network. Did it arrive by email, a download, or perhaps even from an external hard drive? Then, ask your managed services provider to secure the vulnerability right away.
Reinstall and Update Your Systems
If any system has been compromised by malware, consider wiping it entirely and reinstall a fresh copy. Once you do, make sure to update your files immediately, not tomorrow after breakfast.
You should also ensure that firmware is kept up to date on any routers and other connected devices since these are usually the first points of attack.
If there’s no update available, then you’ll want to retire the corrupted system.
Reset Your Login Credentials
This is the most important thing to do the moment you realize an account or system has been hacked. And while you’re at it, you should set new passwords for all your accounts, too. Because let’s face it, you’re probably guilty of recycling a couple of them.
If you’re worried about forgetting any of the passwords you’ve set, there are plenty of password managers available that will keep all your login credentials under heavy lock and key.
To be safe in the future, you should consider enabling multi-factor authentication and setting yearly reminders to change your password.
Afraid of becoming another statistic? Don’t be. With a technology partner you can rely on, you’ll never run blindly into the increasingly hazardous quagmire that is modern cybersecurity. Contact us today if you’re ready to protect your business.
