Ransomware survival guide: how to act before, during, and after an attack?

Introduction

Imagine starting your day like any other: you check your emails , open some documents, and go about your tasks, and suddenly, everything freezes. Your files disappear. A message appears on the screen: your data has been encrypted and will only be released after a ransom is paid .

This scene, which seems like something out of a movie, has become routine in the real world. According to the SonicWall Cyber ​​Threat Report 2024 , SonicWall 's laboratories ransomware attacks , a volume that was only 36% below the historical record, making 2023 the third worst year ever recorded in terms of attack volume.

These numbers are not just alarming. They reveal how ransomware has gone from being a one-off threat to a constant risk, capable of affecting any company , regardless of size, sector, or location .

This survival guide was created to support companies like yours in anticipating, acting strategically, and reacting safely. Let's understand what's behind this threat and how Skyone can be your partner on this journey.

Enjoy your reading!

Ransomware : The invisible threat that paralyzes real businesses.

Ransomware is a type of cyberattack that blocks access to data or systems and demands a ransom payment to restore control. In practice, it's as if your company's data were placed behind a virtual vault, and the key was in the hands of the criminal.

The goal of these attacks is not just to steal information, but to cause immediate disruption. Ransomware aims to paralyze operations, generate chaos, and force the company to pay for the resumption of normalcy. Payment, usually demanded in cryptocurrencies, does not always guarantee the return of the data and often opens the door to further extortion.
Unlike threats that operate silently, here the impact is direct, perceptible, and urgent . In minutes, what seemed like just another workday turns into a crisis scenario.

A “digital kidnapping” that has become a lucrative business for criminals

Today, ransomware operates under a model reminiscent of tech startups : scalable, collaborative, and highly profitable. It's called Ransomware as a Service (RaaS), where groups develop the malware and affiliates execute it in exchange for a commission on the ransom.

In 2024, ransom demands reached an average of US$5.2 million , according to Mandiant . In more extreme cases, the amount demanded exceeded US$70 million.
These numbers show that we are not dealing with improvised attacks , but rather with focused, methodical operations that generate significant financial returns.

Side effects: what an attack can cause in practice

When ransomware strikes, the problem isn't limited to what was encrypted. The company deals with unplanned downtime, loss of strategic data, legal risks, and reputational damage— all at the same time .

According to Varonis , ransomware attack causes, on average, 24 days of operational downtime. That is, three weeks without full functionality, which is enough to compromise deliveries, damage customer relationships, and cause internal disruptions that are difficult to overcome.
Now that we understand the size and logic of this threat, it's time to delve deeper. In the next section, we will explore the main types of ransomware and what differentiates them in terms of risk and impact. After all, knowing these variations is essential to recognizing vulnerabilities and acting more precisely.

Who are they: the types of ransomware most commonly used by attackers

Ransomware it is actually an umbrella term encompassing a variety of malicious strategies and code . Each of these variations is designed to maximize impact, hinder response, and, most importantly, ensure financial return for attackers.
Understanding the most common tactics used in these attacks, from initial vectors to ransomware within the network, is the first step in building an effective defense. In this section, we will look at the three most critical aspects : how attacks enter the network, how they unfold, and what we have learned from emblematic cases.

Common vectors of infection

Most of the time, attacks don't start with a major security flaw. They exploit small vulnerabilities , routine behaviors, and systems that have been neglected and not updated.

Sophos report , ransomware attacks in 2024 exploited unpatched vulnerabilities in exposed software or systems . Other recurring vectors include emails with malicious attachments, remote access without adequate protection, leaked credentials, and, of course, social engineering.
What do these paths have in common? They are all avoidable. And this reinforces an important point: most attacks do not require advanced techniques. They exploit distractions, lack of process, and over-reliance on routine.

Stages of a ransomware

Ransomware is a process. And like any process, it - defined steps , which makes it possible to intercept it before the breaking point. The most common phases involve:

• Environmental awareness;
• Malware distribution ;
• Remote access and control;
• Lateral movement through the net;
• Cryptography and ransom demands.

This pattern, documented by TechTarget , shows how the attack often takes hold days or weeks before the final encryption . Therefore, detecting anomalous signals in the early stages can be the difference between an isolated incident and an operational collapse.
Many attacks are only noticed in the final stage, when the data is already inaccessible. But with visibility and monitoring , there are real chances of stopping the attack before that.

Examples of notorious attacks

Some attacks mark history not only for their scale, but for the way they expose vulnerabilities that many prefer to ignore. What begins with unauthorized access can become global news, as well as have a direct impact on the daily lives of millions of people.

That's exactly what happened with WannaCry in 2017. A simple ransomware , based on a known and unpatched vulnerability, spread to more than 150 countries and paralyzed more than 300,000 machines in a few days. Hospitals, transportation companies, private businesses were all affected. Losses exceeded $4 billion, and even today, the episode serves as a benchmark for the cost of negligence.

Four years later, the Colonial Pipeline , responsible for nearly half of the fuel supply to the US East Coast, had to suspend operations due to an attack by the DarkSide group. The event caused fuel shortages in 17 states, led to a $4.4 million ransom payment, and mobilized the FBI itself.

In Brazil, in 2020, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) also joined this list. For a week, the Superior Court of Justice had its systems encrypted, sessions interrupted, and thousands of documents inaccessible. It was a stark reminder: not even such important institutions are immune when controls fail.

These episodes differ in geography, sector, and scale. But they all have something in common : they showed that a catastrophic failure isn't necessary for ransomware to find a foothold. Often, a single overlooked detail and the absence of a real response plan are enough.
Therefore, in the next section, we'll leave the examples aside and look inside the operation: where ransomware enter, and what behaviors or decisions open the door to risk?

Basic guide to avoid falling into the trap

Talking about ransomware might sound far-fetched, but the reality is that most attacks begin in a simple and predictable way . No attacker needs superpowers if they find open doors.
We can say that prevention isn't about locking everything down, but about consistently doing the basics . And that's precisely what many companies fail to maintain. Fortunately, much can be done now, starting with actions.

• Keep your systems up-to-date : software is like broken shop windows: it draws attention and exposes what is most valuable. According to CISA ( Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ) , a significant portion of attacks exploit known vulnerabilities, those that already have patches available but have not yet been applied;

• Too much access is an open invitation to disaster : not everyone needs to see everything. Ensuring that each user only accesses what they need is a way to contain the damage if something gets out of control. It's the old logic: the smaller the scope of the error, the smaller the impact of the incident.

• Backups can't just be a formality : it's not enough to just make backups , you need to know if they work. Copies should be encrypted, stored outside the main network, and tested frequently. Without this, the risk is discovering, too late, that "plan B" has also been compromised.

• Safety needs to be part of the routine, not the exception : investing in tools is essential. But creating a safety culture is what sustains protection on a daily basis. Reinforce good practices, promote realistic training, and treat mistakes as learning opportunities, not just as failures.
• Monitor issues before they appear on your screen : continuous monitoring allows you to detect unusual patterns before they escalate into crises. Solutions that automate alerts and responses help anticipate suspicious activity, even outside of business hours.

Taking these measures doesn't mean your company is immune. But it will be better prepared, more vigilant, and less vulnerable to the most common pitfalls. And what if, even with all this, an attack does happen? That's exactly what we'll address in the next section.

If the attack has already happened: how to react intelligently?

When ransomware strikes, the clock starts ticking—and every minute counts. At that moment, acting on instinct or desperation is pointless. What defines the real impact of the attack is not just the intrusion itself, but how your company responds in the first few hours.
Taking a deep breath and following a clear plan can make the difference between a controlled crisis and a long-term disaster. Below, we present the three fundamental steps that should guide the immediate response:

1. Isolate the problem and call in specialists : as soon as the attack is identified, isolate affected machines from the network, temporarily disable access, and avoid any restoration attempts without technical support. Hasty interventions can worsen the damage or erase important clues. Preserve suspicious records, logs , and files: they may be crucial to the investigation. Quickly contact the internal security team or a specialized partner;

2. Recover what's possible safely : With the environment under control, it's time to understand what can be recovered. This includes restoring systems from backups , revalidating access, and monitoring for new intrusion attempts. Prioritize critical areas and ensure the attack hasn't left any open doors for further offensives.
3. Communicating responsibly : transparency is an ally. Clients, suppliers, partners, and authorities may need to be notified, especially when there are indications of data leaks or legal impact. Clear and aligned communication helps preserve trust. And, if necessary, involve legal support to assess specific obligations, such as those stipulated by the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law).

Reacting intelligently doesn't mean improvising , but rather being prepared, having quick access to the right information, and having reliable partners by your side. And that's where Skyone . Below, we show how we work to protect companies throughout the entire process. Check it out!

How Skyone works to protect against ransomware.

Ransomware isn't fought with generic promises, but rather with solid architecture, well-defined processes, and data-driven decisions . That's why, at Skyone, security isn't an isolated feature: it 's at the heart of everything we deliver as a platform.

Our role goes beyond protecting data. We work to ensure business continuity , strengthen digital resilience , and increase visibility into what truly matters. From cloud infrastructure to access control and application governance, we build solutions focused on preventing failures, responding quickly, and avoiding recurrence.

We know that every company has a unique reality, and that you can't protect what you don't understand. That's why our work begins by listening, diagnosing, and co-creating a practical, tailored, and sustainable approach with each client.
Want to talk to someone who understands cloud computing, legacy systems, and security in depth? Talk to one of our Skyone specialists and let's explore together the best path for your business reality!

Conclusion

Throughout this manual, we have seen that ransomware is an operational reality that demands preparation. Understanding how it works, recognizing the signs, and establishing consistent prevention practices is not a competitive advantage, but rather the new minimum standard of digital maturity .

Every vulnerability ignored, every process without review, every piece of data without clear protection can be the weak link that opens the door to a crisis . And, in the face of increasingly coordinated and sophisticated attacks, acting strategically is no longer optional.

If this content helped you understand ransomware more clearly and responsibly, it's worth continuing to explore more about technology! On the Skyone blog , you'll find other articles about security, cloud computing , legacy systems, and risk management, always with a practical focus and a future-oriented vision. Access our blog and keep transforming information into decision-making!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about ransomware

Whether out of curiosity, concern, or a recent alert, initial questions about ransomware arise urgently. Below, we've compiled straightforward answers to the most frequently asked questions online searches and in conversations among technology, security, and business leaders.

What is ransomware and how does it work?

Ransomware is a type of software that blocks access to data or entire systems and demands payment (the "ransom") to release access. The attack usually occurs in silent stages, and the data hijacking only becomes visible in the final phase, when an extortion message is displayed. Even if payment is made, there is no guarantee of data recovery, nor that the company will not be attacked again.

How can I tell if my company is being targeted by a ransomware ?

Early signs include unusual slowness, corrupted or renamed files, unauthorized access, and security system alerts. In more advanced stages, ransom notes and complete system lockouts appear. Having monitoring and early detection tools can help identify the threat before the damage becomes irreversible.

Does paying the ransom guarantee data recovery?

No. Even after payment, many attackers do not provide the decryption keys or send corrupted files. Furthermore, paying can expose the company to further extortion, as it becomes a vulnerable target. The best form of protection remains prevention, backups , and an incident response plan.