Decrypting Files: Encryption is a technology that predates even the emergence of the internet and the popularization of computers.
However, in increasingly digitized environments and considering the importance of information for organizations, it has become essential to ensure data privacy.
On the other hand, in the same way that it can be used for positive purposes, cryptography also serves to develop illicit actions. With that, decrypting the files gains a lot of relevance.
But after all, how does it all work? Are you interested in the subject? So keep reading the article and clear your doubts about the topic!
What Is Encryption?
Cryptography consists of rules that seek to encode information so that only the sender and receiver understand the message.
The sender encrypts the content and generates a key only the receiver has. Thus, if a malicious person intercepts the material, he cannot fully access it.
How Can It Be Used For Good Purposes?
It is, above all, a security mechanism to protect important files. If only the sender and receiver check the message, a mid-way interception has no effect, as it is impossible to decipher the contents.
Cryptography is used in several ways. Currently, most email services work with this technology to protect users. Chat apps are also increasingly investing in end-to-end encryption to ensure that messages remain private.
Nowadays, you can even use different types of cryptography in the same service: symmetric or asymmetric keys. In general, systems that use cryptography are quite secure.
When done in a planned way, the process results in a virtually unbreakable state. However, it is essential to emphasize that it is possible to break an encrypted system, even more so if the measures are simplified.
And The Other Side?
It is worth emphasizing that cryptography is not only used in favor of information security: it can also act in favor of cyber criminals for hacking actions, for example.
Ransomware is a classic demonstration on the rise in recent years, with WannaCry as one of the main cases. Upon infecting the machine, it locks files or even an entire hard drive using a cryptographic key.
The cybercriminal also issues a message directed to the owner of the file warning about the attack and requesting a ransom in cryptocurrencies (usually bitcoins) to release the documents.
It is also important to know that files are only sometimes released upon payment. Therefore, there is a constant warning not to pay the ransom, even under the fear of being unable to recover the corporation’s data.
Ransomware is one of the types of malware that act in this way. Other types of viruses work with the same mechanism, demanding attention from security analysts to identify attacks and avoid the risks of their occurrence.
How To Identify A Ransomware Infection?
Ransomware is one of the main file-disrupting viruses, blocking the computer screen or simply encrypting documents and the entire hard drive. It usually affects Windows users, but there are variants for mobile devices, including Android users.
It’s easy to perceive yourself as a victim, as the hacker tends to communicate in some way to request a ransom. The process occurs through an infection generated by opening an email with an executable attachment (.exe), compressed file (.zip), or Office documents with macros.
The attachment then opens, and with that begins the infection process. It can also be triggered by accessing websites that contain the virus. During the encryption process, everything is silent, making inattentive users not immediately notice what is happening.
From the completion of the process, the infection becomes quite flashy. However, the condition is almost always irreversible at this stage.
How To Decrypt A File?
But how to decrypt a file? How is this possible? One of the easiest ways is to identify whether the attack occurred through already solved ransomware keys. A solution to the problem was created and named “No More Ransom.”
However, you need to know which ransomware has affected the machine beforehand. For that, it is interesting to use the Crypto Sheriff tool to check if solutions are available for the virus.
Despite everything, none of this means obtaining positive results. After all, the version of the virus that affected your machine has yet to be decrypted. And now?
The best solution, in these situations, is to rely on a consulting company specializing in information security. It can take the necessary actions to resolve the mishap best, ensuring data protection.
What Is The Most Efficient Way To Protect Yourself From An Attack?
In addition to knowing how to decrypt a file, it is also essential to know document protection tips. Some measures can be taken, such as:
- keep a cloud backup to avoid losses generated by data hijacking on physical machines;
- control access and check which sites should be blocked for your collaborators;
- develop disaster recovery plans ;
- to value the constant updating of the operating system and software;
- have an up-to-date antivirus on all machines;
- identify possible abnormalities, such as actions that were not previously requested;
- hire companies specializing in information security to protect data with robust defense systems.
Knowing how to decrypt files is paramount to taking adequate measures in cases of emergency with a ransomware attack or others of the same nature.
Within the context discussed in the article, having specialists capable of recovering the largest possible number of files is one of the most efficient practices a company can adopt.
