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Many businesses are unknowingly hosting ransomware within their systems, completely blind to its presence until it’s too late. When cybercriminals lurk in your network for weeks or months, the breach is even more disruptive and costly.
Keep reading to learn how to implement a proactive approach to ransomware detection and safeguard your organization’s critical data.
What Is Ransomware Detection?
Ransomware detection is the process of identifying and recognizing ransomware threats within a computer system or network.
Research shows that hackers dwell in a network for 11 days on average before being detected. However, hackers can lurk for as long as 15 months. Even a few days gives hackers plenty of time to move laterally through your network, encrypting and stealing your data.
The earlier you detect the ransomware, the more likely it is you can prevent the encryption of critical data, block unauthorized access, and minimize the potential damage.
Why Is Ransomware Detection Important?
Here’s why the ability to detect ransomware in your systems matters:
- Late Detection Increases Costs
Breaches detected and contained within 200 days cost organizations significantly less—about $3.93 million on average—compared to those taking longer, which average around $4.95 million. In other words, the longer it takes to detect an attack, the greater the financial loss.
- Ransomware Detection Rates Are Currently Low
A study of over 500 organizations impacted by ransomware attacks showed that only ⅓ of companies were able to detect the data breach using their internal security teams or tools. The majority learned about breaches from external sources, either third parties or the attackers.
- Lack of Detection Capabilities Leaves You Vulnerable
Breaches disclosed by attackers cost nearly $1 million more than those detected by the organization. Often, attackers only reveal their presence after several weeks of activity within the network, by which time substantial damage has been inflicted.
How to Detect a Ransomware Breach
There are three main methods to identify and mitigate threats, ideally before they compromise an organization’s network. Here are three primary types of ransomware detection techniques you can leverage to detect a breach.
Signature-Based Detection
Signature-based detection scans the files in your system and looks for known ransomware extensions (unique suffixes added to the names of encrypted files). When threat actors infiltrate your system, they often encrypt your files, modifying the file name.
For instance, if you have files in your system called “financial_report.docx.locky” or “financial_report.docx.wannacry,” that would be a strong sign that you have been infected with Locky or Wannacry ransomware.
ProLion has an extensive database of known threats which is regularly updated. Our ransomware detection tool, CryptoSpike, identifies suspicious ransomware signatures in your system, immediately detecting the ransomware and alerting you to its presence.
Behavior-Based Detection
Unlike signature-based detection that relies on known patterns, behavior-based detection focuses on observing the behavior of files and applications to spot unusual activities that could indicate a ransomware attack.
This method monitors for signs such as rapid file encryption, unexpected system changes, and unusual network traffic. It’s especially useful for spotting new ransomware strains without an identifiable signature. Behavior-based detection systems analyze:
- File System Changes: Monitoring for an excessive number of file modifications, such as renames or rapid changes in file contents, which are typical signs of encryption attempts
- Network Traffic Anomalies: Checking for any unusual data flows to external servers, which might suggest data exfiltration or communication with command and control centers
- Suspicious API Calls: Reviewing API calls made by applications to detect any actions that are commonly used by malware, such as attempts to check for sandbox environments or to escalate privileges
ProLion’s CryptoSpike monitors your system 24/7 to identify and block suspicious activity in real-time. This assures a high level of ransomware protection.
Deception-Based Detection
Deception-based detection techniques use traps and decoys, known as honeypots, to attract and trick cyber attackers. They are set up to look like regular servers or user systems, but aren’t actually in use. Instead, the organization monitors the honeypots to see who is trying to access them, providing an early warning of a breach.
Honeypots are a controversial security practice and generally less reliable than signature-based and behavior-based detection methods. Security teams are essentially guessing where to place honeypots in the network, hoping they’ll be found by threat actors. However, honeypots can work well as part of a comprehensive security strategy.
By combining these methods, organizations can enhance their ability to detect a wide range of ransomware attacks. Implementing multiple detection layers ensures that even if one method fails, others can still provide critical protection, keeping organizational assets safe and minimizing the risk of significant damage.
Best Practices for Detecting Ransomware Early
Effective ransomware detection is a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. To enhance your organization’s ability to detect and respond to ransomware threats, consider the following best practices:
Implement Layered Security Measures
Employ a multi-layered security approach that includes endpoint protection, firewalls, email filters, and advanced ransomware detection technology, like ProLion. This defense in depth helps to catch ransomware at different stages of the attack process, from initial entry through email or malicious downloads to behaviors indicating a compromise within the network.
Foster a Security-aware Culture
Continually train and educate your staff about cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing the signs of a ransomware attack. A well-informed workforce can act as an effective first line of defense against cyber threats, including insider threats.
Employ Advanced Threat Detection Tools
Advanced threat detection solutions can significantly boost your response times. ProLion’s CryptoSpike uses advanced algorithms and behavior analysis to detect unusual activity that could indicate ransomware. It identifies anomalies in real-time, such as unexpected encryption of files or suspicious traffic, so you can detect and prevent attacks instantly.
Detect and Prevent Threats with ProLion
The faster you detect and prevent ransomware, the better. Our advanced threat detection tool, CryptoSpike, monitors your network 24/7 and takes immediate action to prevent suspicious users from infiltrating your network.
Don’t wait for a breach. Connect with one of our cybersecurity experts today or download our free whitepaper to learn more about the importance of a multi-layered ransomware protection strategy.
