In today’s article, we’ve tapped into the extensive knowledge of our cybersecurity experts. They have shared the top signs of an affected computer and the five steps you must take when you notice your network has been compromised. This expert advice will help you prevent irreversible damage and navigate this challenging situation confidently.

Signs Of An Issue

According to IBM’s latest cybersecurity report, the average data breach lasts 277 days before it’s noticed and reported. This time frame sounds crazy, considering that attacks using malware, viruses, keylogging tools, and more can quickly cause considerable damage. However, most users miss the warning signs and don’t realize they’re under attack until irreversible damage has occurred.

Several of the biggest indicators of an issue can be mistaken for a slow or outdated computer or operating system. If you experience any of these issues, I would suggest you contact your IT team. If it’s an attack, they’ll know the proper steps to take, and if it’s not, they’ll be able to update your system or replace your device to improve performance. Here are a few key signs your computer could be infected:



●       Slow computer or network performance.

●       Frequent freezes or sudden crashes.

●       Rapid pop-ups.

●       Locked user accounts.

●       Sudden and unexpected file changes.

●       Abnormal system behavior, such as the device running after a shutdown.

●       Unusual profile activity.

What To Do Next?

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, your next steps are important. Rest assured, our team of experts has meticulously crafted these recommendations to guide you through this challenging situation. Following these steps may effectively mitigate the potential damage and restore your network's security.

1. Take the network offline to isolate the incident, but DO NOT turn off or reboot the device. When a device isn’t working the way it should, the go-to move is to hit Restart. In many scenarios, that maneuver can work; however, if malware is involved, this simple act can make the situation worse. In some circumstances, rebooting your device can set in motion a crashed file-encryption process that can cause unrecoverable data loss. Disconnect your device from the network, but allow it to remain on as you proceed.
2. Call your IT team IMMEDIATELY. It’s important to contain the breach before it infects the rest of your network or causes any more damage. Your IT team will be able to investigate the issue to determine what went wrong and what the impact was and mitigate the breach quickly. Do not try to fix this on your own. Attempting to run a “system cleanup” or your antivirus software will waste time and could cause more damage. Call in the experts.
3. Call your attorney. There are several reasons to call your attorney. Depending on the size of the breach, your attorney may refer you to outside legal counsel with privacy and data security expertise who can advise you on the federal and state laws that may be implicated by the data breach.
4. Change passwords and secure all accounts. As the IT team works to contain the breach, you’ll want to change your passwords to protect other accounts that have not yet been affected. Hopefully, you have multifactor authentication enabled and will be notified if someone tries to access your account, but if not, begin working through your accounts to secure them, starting with ones that contain financial information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and more.
5. Check your bank accounts. Nearly all cyber-attacks are financially motivated, making bank accounts the primary target. As the breach is being mitigated, check your bank accounts and payment processing tools, including third-party merchant accounts and employee payroll systems, for any anomalies or sudden changes.

If you’re hit by a cyber-attack, you'll need to take several other steps, like implementing a PR communications plan, notifying appropriate parties such as law enforcement, and more. However, the most important thing you can do if a data breach occurs is to isolate the incident and hand it over to a qualified cybersecurity professional as soon as possible. Time matters in these situations.

If you need a reliable, trustworthy cybersecurity team monitoring your business, start with a FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment. These assessments are designed to thoroughly examine your network, pinpoint any vulnerabilities, and map out a plan to fix them. It is much more cost-effective to prevent a cyberattack than to fix one, so book your assessment today by clicking HERE or calling 941-493-5126.