Knowing how to recognize some of the most common ransomware symptoms will help you identify if you are a victim of a ransomware attack. At Next Hop Solutions, they understand how important it is to protect your business from ransomware attacks. That is why they offer a range of cybersecurity services.
Common Signs of Ransomware on Your Computer
Some of the most common signs that your computer has been infected with ransomware are:
1. You are Locked Out of the Computer
One of the most obvious signs that a computer has been infected with ransomware is that a splash screen will appear when the computer is starting up. This splash screen will prevent you from using the computer and will often provide instructions on how to pay the ransom to regain access to the computer. This type of ransomware is commonly known as lock screen ransomware.
2. Files Will Not Open
If you are suddenly unable to open individual files on the computer, you might be a victim of encryption ransomware. When trying to open an encrypted file, an error message will appear on the screen, telling you that the file cannot be opened and that the system needs to know which program to use to open the file. You will then be prompted to select a program from those already installed on the computer.
3. There are Missing or Odd File Extensions
In most cases, files that have been encrypted by ransomware will be missing file extensions altogether or will have extensions ending with something along the lines of .crypted. Files that have been encrypted will also display a blank icon for the file type rather than the logo of the program the file was created in or an image of the file’s contents.
4. You Have Received Ransom Instructions
Since the purpose of ransomware is for a hacker to hold your data for ransom, chances are that they will leave behind easy-to-find documents with information on how to pay them. Look for .txt or .html files on the computer that begin with an underscore that is followed by a clear message in all caps that tells you that your files have been encrypted or to read the file that has been left behind. There should be at least one instruction file in every folder on the computer that contains encrypted data.
If you would like to learn more about the most common ransomware symptoms, or if you are interested in one of their cybersecurity services, please contact Next Hop Solutions at 1-855-482-5141 or by requesting a consultation on their website.