Stop Wasting Money on Cybersecurity: Try These 5 Quick Computer Forensics Checks Before You Call Experts

Your startup just got hit. Maybe it's ransomware encrypting your files, suspicious network activity, or employees reporting compromised accounts. Your first instinct? Call expensive cybersecurity consultants immediately.

But wait. Before you spend ₹50,000-₹2,00,000 on emergency forensic services, try these five quick computer forensics checks. Many cyber incidents affecting Indian startups can be identified and potentially resolved with basic investigation techniques that cost nothing but your time.

These preliminary checks will either solve your problem entirely or provide crucial evidence that makes professional forensic investigation more targeted and cost-effective.

1. Emergency Evidence Documentation and System State Assessment

Time Required: 15-20 minutes

The moment you suspect a security incident, your first priority is preserving digital evidence before it disappears. Many Indian startups make the critical mistake of immediately rebooting systems or running antivirus scans, inadvertently destroying forensic evidence.

Start by photographing all affected computer screens showing error messages, ransom notes, or suspicious activities. Document the exact date, time, and nature of the incident. Note which systems are affected, what symptoms you're observing, and any recent changes to your IT infrastructure.

Create a timeline of events leading up to the incident. When did employees first notice problems? Were there any recent software installations, email attachments opened, or suspicious links clicked? This documentation costs nothing but provides essential context for any subsequent investigation.

2. System Log Analysis and Audit Trail Review

Time Required: 30-45 minutes

Windows and Linux systems maintain detailed logs of user activities, application crashes, and security events. These logs often contain smoking guns that reveal exactly how attackers gained access to your systems.

Access Windows Event Viewer to examine Security, System, and Application logs. Look for patterns of failed login attempts, especially from unusual IP addresses or during off-business hours. Successful logins from unfamiliar locations or devices indicate potential account compromise.

Review recent file access patterns. Ransomware typically follows predictable behaviors - mass file encryption starting from user directories and spreading to network shares. Unusual file access patterns, especially rapid sequential access to multiple directories, suggest automated malicious activity.

For Linux systems, examine /var/log/auth.log for authentication events and /var/log/syslog for system-level activities. Failed SSH attempts from foreign IP addresses or unusual sudo command usage patterns often indicate ongoing attacks.

3. Windows Registry Deep Dive and Persistence Mechanism Detection

Time Required: 20-30 minutes

Attackers often establish persistence by modifying Windows Registry entries, ensuring their malicious software survives system reboots. Basic registry analysis using free tools can reveal these modifications without expensive forensic software.

Use RegRipper, a free command-line registry parsing tool, to extract information from common persistence locations. Focus on startup programs in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and system-wide startup entries in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.

Examine recently modified registry keys, particularly those with timestamps corresponding to your incident timeline. Malware often creates new entries or modifies existing ones to maintain system access.

Check user account registry entries for signs of compromise. New user accounts created during suspicious timeframes or modifications to existing user privileges suggest insider threats or successful account takeovers.

4. Memory Analysis and Active Process Investigation

Time Required: 25-35 minutes

Many cyber threats operate entirely in system memory, leaving minimal hard disk traces. Memory analysis can reveal active malware, unauthorized access sessions, or data exfiltration in progress.

Start with Windows Task Manager to identify suspicious processes. Look for processes consuming unusual amounts of CPU or network resources, especially those running from temporary directories or user profile folders. Legitimate system processes typically run from Windows system directories.

Use Volatility, a free memory forensics framework, for deeper analysis if you have basic technical skills. Create a memory dump and analyze running processes, network connections, and loaded DLLs. This reveals malware attempting to hide from basic process viewers.

Pay special attention to processes with network connections to external IP addresses. Use tools like TCPView to monitor active network connections in real-time. Legitimate business applications typically connect to known service providers, while malware often communicates with suspicious IP addresses in foreign countries.

5. Network Traffic Capture and Communication Pattern Analysis

Time Required: 40-60 minutes

Network analysis reveals whether your systems are actively communicating with malicious servers, exfiltrating data, or receiving command and control instructions from attackers.

Install Wireshark, a free network protocol analyzer, to capture and examine network traffic patterns. Focus on identifying unusual outbound connections, especially to IP addresses in countries where your startup doesn't conduct business.

Examine DNS queries for suspicious domain names. Malware often communicates with domains using algorithmically generated names or recently registered domains. Tools like VirusTotal can help verify whether domains are associated with known malicious activities.

Monitor data transfer volumes. Large outbound data transfers during off-business hours suggest potential data exfiltration. Compare current network usage patterns with baseline measurements from before the incident.

Review your router's logs for unfamiliar connected devices. Many attackers establish persistence by connecting unauthorized devices to your network or compromising IoT devices like security cameras or printers.

When DIY Forensics Isn't Enough: Recognizing Expert-Level Threats

While these five checks solve many common cybersecurity incidents affecting Indian startups, certain scenarios require professional cybersecurity expertise. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), sophisticated ransomware variants, and insider threats often employ techniques that bypass basic detection methods.

Professional forensic investigators possess specialized tools and expertise for deep packet analysis, advanced malware reverse engineering, and comprehensive digital evidence recovery. They can also provide legally admissible forensic reports required for insurance claims or law enforcement cooperation.

Why Indian Startups Choose CyberTegh for Advanced Incident Response

CyberTegh specializes in cybersecurity challenges facing Indian startups and SMEs. Our team understands the unique threat landscape affecting businesses operating in India, from targeted attacks on specific industries to compliance requirements under Indian data protection regulations.

We've helped over 500 Indian startups recover from cybersecurity incidents, with response times under 4 hours for emergency situations. Our forensic investigations have supported successful insurance claims totaling over ₹15 crores for affected businesses.

Take Action: Protect Your Startup Today

Cybersecurity incidents don't wait for convenient timing. Whether you're dealing with an active breach, suspicious employee activity, or want proactive security assessment, CyberTegh provides expert guidance tailored specifically for Indian businesses.

Our incident response team operates 24/7, with Hindi and English language support for seamless communication during crisis situations. We understand that startup budgets require cost-effective solutions that deliver maximum security impact.

Don't let a cybersecurity incident destroy years of hard work building your startup. Contact our expert team today for immediate assistance or proactive security assessment.