All it takes is one employee that makes a wrong click and you’re suddenly facing a cyber attack that can bring all your systems to a complete stop. But here’s the thing—while cybercriminals are trying to infect a computer with malware to gain access to your valuable corporate data, every second is important. By acting fast and following the right steps, you will minimize damage and prevent the breach from spiraling while maintaining the trust your clients have placed in you.

Signs your device has been compromised

The signs are not always obvious, unless of course you wait too long and you’re now staring at a message indicating you are locked out of your systems demanding a monetary payout to unlock. Spotting the signs early gives you a chance to take control before things get worse. A few things to look out for include:

Slow performance

If your device has significantly slowed down it could be an attacker using your resources for their own benefit, like taking your data and preparing to hold it hostage for a monetary payout or executing malicious actions behind the scenes.

Slow internet

A drop in internet speed could mean someone is secretly transmitting and straining your network connection.

Increased power consumption

If your laptop or portable device is draining battery unusually quickly, it might be due to an attack consuming extra energy.

Excessive fan activity

A constantly running or excessively active fan may indicate that malicious processes are overloading your processor.

Unexpected behavior

If your PC takes longer to start up and responds to commands later, this could indicate high system utilization. Be on the look out for programs opening on their own or random pop-ups.

Steps to take if your device has been compromised

Disconnect the affected device from the network

The moment you suspect a breach, you need to isolate that device from your network. This will prevent it from spreading the attack across your entire network, accessing other files and sensitive information. Unplug the ethernet cable or disconnect from Wi-Fi. Many laptops have a physical switch to turn the Wi-Fi off. If you have a laptop, do not rely on software settings to disable the connection. They may have already compromised those settings. The key point is to disconnect the device from the network.

Get specialized expertise – quick

Immediately contact your managed service provider. They will assess the situation, figure out the extent of the damage, and begin to remediate it.

How to protect your organization from attacks

Being prepared reduces the impact of an attack and can even prevent one from happening. Here are steps you can take now to safeguard your systems:

Cyber security awareness training for you and your employees

A comprehensive program with consistent training helps your team identify current threats and teaches them how to respond to them. The more aware your employees are, the better equipped they will be to spot and avoid risks before they have a negative impact on your organization.

Implement two factor

Add an extra layer of security to all your accounts by enabling 2FA. This will require both a password and a second form of verification, such as a code, making it significantly harder for attackers to gain access.

Keep backups up to date

Ensure that either you or your IT team are regularly backing up your data. In the event of an attack, you’ll have recent backups to restore which will prevent your organization from losing crucial information and being impacted by unnecessary downtime.

Create an action plan

Create a clear process for reporting suspicious activity, disconnecting from the network, and alerting your IT team.

Partner with a trusted Managed IT Provider

Work with a trusted Managed IT provider, like us here at Expert IT Solutions, to handle continuous monitoring, support and cybersecurity.

If you’re facing an attack, contact us to get help

We will work to contain the damage, secure your systems and restore your business operations as quickly as possible. But remember that preventing an attack in the first place is always the best strategy. If you’re looking to safeguard your business against threats, reach out to our experts.