What should you immediately do when you receive a ransomware message?

Immediate steps that victims should take upon receiving a ransomware message to minimize damage and plan recovery include:

1. Isolation: Disconnect the infected computer from the network to prevent the ransomware from spreading to other devices.

2. Identification: Identify the type of ransomware and determine the extent of the infection to assess the potential impact on data and systems.

3. Notify: Inform the relevant IT or security personnel within the organization to initiate response protocols and contain the ransomware.

4. Assessment: Begin assessing the data and systems affected by the ransomware to prioritize recovery efforts.

5. Backup: If possible, restore systems from backups that were not affected by the ransomware to minimize data loss.

6. Avoid Payment: Refrain from paying the ransom as it does not guarantee the recovery of data and may encourage further attacks.

7. Report: Report the ransomware attack to appropriate authorities or cybersecurity professionals for further investigation and guidance.

8. Enhance Security: Strengthen cybersecurity measures within the organization to prevent future ransomware attacks.

These steps can help victims reduce the impact of a ransomware attack and facilitate the recovery process.