Hi Audit,
Thank you for reaching out to us on the Microsoft Q&A forum.
Based on your description, you're experiencing the issue with your Azure Windows Virtual Machine. to investigate the ransomware infection, begin by identifying its cause. Check for any recent changes in your environment, such as the installation of new software or the presence of unverified emails that may have introduced the infection. Review logs from antivirus software, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems.
Here are some essential steps to prevent or respond to an attack on an Azure Virtual Machine:
- Please disconnect the VM from the network immediately to prevent the spread of ransomware and protect other systems.
- Additionally, if possible, take a snapshot of the VM to preserve its current state.
- Keep your system updated with the latest security patches and updates.
- Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) for all users to strengthen security.
- Regularly back up your data and store the backups securely, ensuring they are inaccessible from infected systems.
- Implement a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution to monitor and detect unusual activity.
I recommend you refer on below links:
Backup and restore plan to protect against ransomware
Ransomware protection in Azure
The Microsoft Incident Response approach to conducting ransomware incident investigations
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