Removing Malicious Artifacts
Once the full scope of the threat is understood, the next step is to eliminate the malicious artifacts left behind by the attacker. These artifacts could include malware, tools, unauthorized user accounts, or any other indicators of malicious activity.
Key activities during this phase include:
Eliminating Malware: Malware removal is one of the primary goals of the eradication phase. This involves using specialized tools (e.g., antivirus software, anti-malware solutions, or custom scripts) to detect and eliminate viruses, worms, ransomware, or other forms of malicious software that the attacker may have used.
Removing Backdoors and Remote Access Tools: Attackers often leave behind backdoors to maintain persistent access to the network. These may include web shells, remote access trojans (RATs), or SSH keys. It is essential to thoroughly check systems for these tools and ensure they are completely removed.
Disabling Compromised Accounts: Any user accounts, especially those with administrative privileges, that were compromised during the attack should be disabled immediately. Passwords should be reset, and additional authentication mechanisms (such as multi-factor authentication) should be enforced to strengthen security.
Cleaning or Rebuilding Affected Systems: Once the malicious artifacts are removed, affected systems should be cleaned or, in some cases, fully rebuilt. This may include reinstalling operating systems, applying the latest security patches, and restoring clean backups to ensure the systems are free from threats.