Ransomware Attacks Don’t Happen Overnight—They Lurk in Your Systems First

Ransomware doesn’t strike like a lightning bolt—it seeps into your systems like a slow, rising tide. By the time you see the ransom note, it’s too late. The attackers have already dismantled your defenses, erased your backups, and locked you out.

The good news? There are warning signs—if you know where to look. Most organizations fail to detect ransomware in its earliest stages, allowing cybercriminals to move undetected until they’ve taken complete control. But with proactive monitoring and continuous security validation, you can stop ransomware before it’s too late.

Let’s break down the three key stages of a ransomware attack and how you can detect it before it wreaks havoc.

The Three Stages of a Ransomware Attack—and How to Stop It

Ransomware doesn’t hit all at once. Attackers follow a well-planned strategy, executing their campaign in three critical phases.

Stage 1: Pre-Encryption – The Silent Infiltration

Before encryption begins, attackers operate in the shadows, setting the stage for maximum damage. They:

1. Delete shadow copies and backups to ensure there’s no way to restore lost files.
2. Inject malware into trusted processes to establish persistence and evade detection.
3. Create mutexes to prevent the ransomware from being interrupted.

These subtle but dangerous Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) provide an opportunity to catch the attack before it escalates. Security teams that monitor for these signals can stop ransomware in its tracks before encryption begins.

Stage 2: Encryption – Locking You Out

Once attackers have full control, they launch the encryption process. Some ransomware variants act within minutes, while others take a stealthier approach, staying hidden until they’ve locked everything down. By the time encryption is detected, it’s already too late. If your security tools aren’t catching ransomware in the pre-encryption phase, your organization is at risk.

Stage 3: Post-Encryption – The Ransom Demand

With your files encrypted, attackers leave their ultimatum. They demand payment—usually in cryptocurrency—while monitoring your response through command-and-control (C2) channels. At this stage, you’re left with limited choices: pay up or attempt recovery, often at significant cost.

But what if you didn’t have to get to this point?

Key Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) You Can’t Afford to Ignore

If you detect these warning signs early, you can stop ransomware before it encrypts your data.

1. Shadow Copy Deletion – Eliminating Recovery Options

Attackers delete Windows Volume Shadow Copies to prevent file restoration. They execute commands like:

vssadmin.exe delete shadows

By wiping backups, they ensure total data lockdown, forcing victims into a corner.

2. Mutex Creation – Preventing Multiple Infections

A mutex (mutual exclusion object) allows ransomware to manage execution within a system. It ensures:

• Only one instance of the ransomware runs at a time.

• The malware evades detection by limiting redundant infections.

🔹 Pro Tip: Some security tools create fake mutexes to trick ransomware into thinking it's already running, causing it to self-terminate.

3. Process Injection – Hiding Inside Trusted Applications

Ransomware injects malicious code into legitimate processes to avoid detection. Common injection techniques include:

1. DLL Injection – Loads malware into a running process.
2. Reflective DLL Loading – Executes code in memory, bypassing antivirus scans.
3. APC Injection – Uses Asynchronous Procedure Calls to trigger execution.

By masquerading inside trusted apps, ransomware can operate undetected, quietly encrypting files.

4. Security Service Termination – Disabling Your Defenses

To ensure uninterrupted encryption, attackers shut down security services like:

• Antivirus & Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

• Backup agents

• Database systems

Using administrative commands, they disable services such as Windows Defender:

taskkill /F /IM MsMpEng.exe

Once defenses are down, encryption is unstoppable.

Why Continuous Ransomware Validation is Essential

Most security tools promise protection—but how do you know they’ll actually catch ransomware before it spreads? Annual testing isn’t enough. Threats evolve daily, and relying on outdated security models leaves you vulnerable 364 days a year.

Security leaders use continuous ransomware validation to test defenses in real-time. By safely emulating a ransomware attack—from initial access to encryption attempts—tools like Pentera assess whether your security solutions detect the right IOCs.

If shadow copy deletion or process injection goes unnoticed, security teams can fine-tune detection rules and response workflows before a real attack happens.

Instead of hoping your defenses will hold up, ransomware validation lets you prove they will.

A Strong Ransomware Defense Starts with Proactive Detection

An advanced detection and response system is your first line of defense—but without regular testing, even the best security tools can fail to detect ransomware in time.

1. Don’t wait for an attack to test your defenses.

2. Stay ahead of threats with real-time ransomware validation.

3. Detect IOCs before encryption begins.

4. Strengthen your SOC team’s ability to respond effectively.

The difference between an organization that gets locked down by ransomware and one that thwarts an attack? Knowing what to look for—before it’s too late.