Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a device and demands payment in order to decrypt them. As ransomware attacks have become more prevalent, anti-malware and cybersecurity companies have developed software specifically designed to prevent, detect, and recover from ransomware.
Anti-ransomware software
There are a few main types of anti-ransomware software:
- Anti-malware with ransomware protection – Most anti-malware and antivirus programs like Windows Defender, Malwarebytes, and Bitdefender have added ransomware-specific detection signatures and behavioral monitoring to catch ransomware infections.
- Dedicated anti-ransomware – Programs focused specifically on ransomware protection like HitmanPro.Alert, Avast AntiRansomware, and Acronis Ransomware Protection.
- Backup software – Products like Acronis True Image and Veeam can take periodic backups of files and systems to enable recovery of encrypted files.
- Application whitelisting – Software like AppLocker (Windows) and app whitelisting in ESET Endpoint Security block any unknown executables from running.
How anti-ransomware software detects ransomware
There are a few main technical methods used by anti-ransomware software to detect and block ransomware:
Signature-based detection
Most anti-malware tools have databases of ransomware signatures derived from known ransomware code. These signatures are used to detect and block ransomware executables, processes, files, registry keys, behaviors, and network activity.
Behavior analysis and heuristics
By analyzing the behavior of unknown programs and processes, anti-ransomware software can identify typical ransomware characteristics like encryption of files, changing file extensions, and deletion of volume shadow copies. Heuristic detection flags suspicious activity that could indicate ransomware.
Machine learning
Some anti-ransomware tools use machine learning algorithms that are trained on databases of millions of malware samples to detect ransomware more accurately. Machine learning models can generalize better and detect zero-day ransomware with no known signature.
Decoy files
Some tools plant decoy files across systems that should never be modified. If ransomware encrypts or deletes these files, it triggers immediate detection and response.
Application whitelisting
Whitelisting uses a list of approved applications and blocks execution of any non-whitelisted processes. This prevents unknown ransomware from running but needs to be carefully managed to avoid blocking legitimate software.
Key features of anti-ransomware software
Here are some of the most important capabilities to look for in anti-ransomware solutions:
- Real-time protection – Constantly monitors activity to detect ransomware at execution, encryption, file modification, etc.
- Block suspected ransomware – Prevents unknown processes exhibiting ransomware behavior from running or modifying files.
- Backup and recovery – Allows restoration of encrypted files from clean backups.
- Whitelisting – Only allows approved applications to run while blocking all unknown programs.
- Ransomware detection engines – Specialized engines optimized to detect ransomware faster and more accurately.
- CryptoGuard – Monitors systems for unauthorized encryption processes.
- Active monitoring and alerts – Notifies IT teams immediately about ransomware detection.
Top anti-ransomware software
Here are some of the top anti-ransomware tools highly rated by cybersecurity experts and analysts:
| Software | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware | Dedicated anti-ransomware engine, real-time monitoring, ransomware rollback. |
| Acronis Ransomware Protection | AI-based ransomware detection, blockchain file verification, backup and recovery. |
| Bitdefender Antivirus Plus | Multi-layered ransomware protection, file encryption, ransomware vaccine. |
| Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool | Detects and reverses ransomware encryption, restores files. |
| Trend Micro Apex One | Application control, behavior monitoring, machine learning. |
| Sophos Intercept X | Exploit prevention, deep learning AI, anti-ransomware specific tools. |
| ESET Endpoint Security | Host-based intrusion prevention, machine learning, anti-ransomware engine. |
Choosing the right anti-ransomware software
Here are some tips for selecting an effective anti-ransomware solution for your organization:
- Look for software with behavioral ransomware detection vs. just signatures.
- Ensure it has proven capability to detect and stop leading ransomware families.
- Select solutions already protecting against zero-day and new ransomware threats.
- Verify that it can prevent file encryption as well as detect ransomware.
- Make sure it has low false positives to avoid disrupting legitimate system activities.
- Check that it integrates well with existing security and is easy to manage.
- Consider solutions with multiple defense layers like ML, heuristics, whitelisting combined.
- Prefer tools optimized specifically for ransomware over general-purpose antivirus.
- Enable any available cloud analytics or sandboxing for unknown threats.
- Evaluate support services andvendor responsiveness carefor all infected devices.
How anti-ransomware software detects and stops ransomware
Here is a step-by-step overview of how leading anti-ransomware tools detect and block ransomware infections:
1. Static detection
Anti-ransomware scans for ransomware signatures and indicators in files, processes, registry keys, URLs, IP addresses, scripts etc. Any matches to known indicators flags the sample as potential ransomware.
2. Dynamic detection
Monitoring running processes, file activity, system calls and network connections enables behavioral analysis to identify ransomware-like activity based on heuristics models.
3. Machine learning
The tool feeds all telemetry data to its machine learning model trained on millions of ransomware samples to identify if any processes resemble ransomware.
4. Containerized detonation
Before allowing a suspicious file to run, the anti-ransomware solution detonates it in a secure virtual container to observe its behavior and confirm if its ransomware.
5. Block execution
If a file is confirmed as ransomware based on the above detection methods, the software blocks it from executing on the system.
6. Quarantine
The ransomware sample is moved to an isolated quarantine state where it can’t impact the system.
7. Stop encryption
If ransomware evades detection and starts encrypting, behavioral monitoring prevents unauthorized modification of files.
8. Rollback
Changes made to files or system settings are automatically rolled back to undo any damage done by ransomware.
9. Recovery
Backup copies of encrypted files are utilized to restore systems to their pre-infection state.
10. Whitelisting
lists of allowed applications are used to prevent any new unknown executables from running and encrypting data.
Limitations of anti-ransomware software
Despite the many protective capabilities, anti-ransomware tools have some limitations including:
- Signature-based detection can miss new ransomware families with unique code.
- Some very advanced ransomware can evade behavior monitoring and disable security tools.
- Heuristic models may sometimes flag legitimate software as ransomware.
- Whitelisting needs careful management to avoid productivity issues.
- Backups may not cover all infected endpoints or provide granular recovery.
- Dwell time between infection and detection allows some data encryption.
- None can offer 100% protection against zero-day threats.
Tips to prevent ransomware infections
Some good practices to reduce ransomware risk include:
- Keep all software up-to-date with the latest patches.
- Exercise caution when opening emails and attachments from unknown sources.
- Avoid browsing malicious or suspicious websites.
- Enable macros selectively in Office files received from outside.
- Use least privilege principle for user accounts and software.
- Configure access controls for shared files and folders.
- Enforce strong passwords across all systems and WiFi networks.
- Back up critical data regularly and keepbackups offline.
- Disable RDP connections if not required or restrict access.
- Use reputable antivirus and anti-ransomware software on all endpoints.
How to recover from a ransomware attack
If ransomware successfully compromises systems, recovery efforts should focus on:
- Isolate infected devices – Disconnect infected devices from networks to prevent spread.
- Determine strain – Identify ransomware strain and any decryptors available.
- Evaluate impact – Determine which files and systems are impacted.
- Stop encryption – Use anti-malware tools to contain and stop encryption.
- Restore backups – Retrieve files from clean backups disconnected from network.
- Rebuild systems – Rebuild infected systems from scratch to remove infections.
- Ban indicators – Block ransomware IP addresses, files hashes, URLs etc.
- Assess vulnerabilities – Plug configuration issues and security gaps exploited by malware.
- Increase monitoring – Monitor systems more closely for any reemergence of threat.
- Improve defenses – Implement additional safeguards like whitelisting to prevent reinfection.
Should you pay the ransomware ransom?
Paying the ransom is not recommended for several reasons:
- No guarantee files will be decrypted, attackers may just ask for more money.
- Encourages more ransomware crime by demonstrating it is profitable.
- Payment may violate legal sanctions against funding cybercriminals.
- Attackers may steal data anyway and sell it on the dark web.
- Restoring encrypted files from backups is a safer option.
- Decryption keys provided by criminals may contain malware payloads.
- Funds may help attackers develop more sophisticated ransomware.
- Law enforcement advises against paying ransoms.
However, in cases where backups aren’t available and data loss threatens business continuity, some organizations opt to pay as a last resort after careful risk analysis.
Conclusion
Ransomware remains a serious threat, especially since new variants emerge rapidly. Relying solely on antivirus signatures or one defense layer is insufficient. Organizations should deploy layered, specialized anti-ransomware and backup tools combined with policies like least privilege and patching to fully protect against ransomware and enable rapid recovery with minimal disruption.