What is Ransomware
Ransomware is a malicious program that gains control over the infected device, encrypts files, and blocks user access to the data or a system until a sum of money, or ransom, is paid.
Crooks' scheme includes a ransom note—with amount and instructions on how to pay a ransom in return for the decryption key—or direct communication with the victim.
While ransomware impacts businesses and institutions of every size and type, attackers often target healthcare, education, IT, government, and finance sectors with deeper pockets—causing damages ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.
Ransomware attacks started picking up in 2012, and since then, it has become the most pervasive cyber-attacks across the world.
Crooks' scheme includes a ransom note—with amount and instructions on how to pay a ransom in return for the decryption key—or direct communication with the victim.
While ransomware impacts businesses and institutions of every size and type, attackers often target healthcare, education, IT, government, and finance sectors with deeper pockets—causing damages ranging from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars.
Ransomware attacks started picking up in 2012, and since then, it has become the most pervasive cyber-attacks across the world.
The threat from Ransomware
Ransomware has climbed to the top charts of modern malware. It is the most destructive, persistent, notoriously challenging to prevent, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Ransomware cause significant data loss, data breach, operational downtime, costly recovery, legal consequences, and reputational damage.
Email is still by far the most popular means of compromising target computers.
As long as victims continue to pay, cyber-criminals will continue to flock to ransomware offerings.
New ransomware attacks are expected to gain exfiltration capabilities, stealing target files and locking the user out at the same time.
Ransomware cause significant data loss, data breach, operational downtime, costly recovery, legal consequences, and reputational damage.
Email is still by far the most popular means of compromising target computers.
As long as victims continue to pay, cyber-criminals will continue to flock to ransomware offerings.
New ransomware attacks are expected to gain exfiltration capabilities, stealing target files and locking the user out at the same time.
The Stages of a Ransomware Attack
Deployment: In the first step, attackers distribute essential components used to infect, encrypt, or lock the system, downloaded without the user's knowledge, using phishing, or after exploiting targeted system flaws.
Installation: When the payload is downloaded, the next step is infection. The malware drops a small file that is often capable of defense evasion. The ransomware executes and attempts to gain persistence on the infected system by putting itself to autorun the registry keys, allowing remote attackers to control the system.
Command-and-Control: The malware then connects to the attackers' command and control (C2) server to receive instructions and, primarily, to deposit the asymmetric private encryption key out of the victim's reach.
Destruction: Once files get encrypted, the malware deletes original copies on the system, and the only way to restore them is to decrypt encoded files.
Extortion: Here come ransom notes. The victim gets to know that his data is compromised. The payment range varies according to the type of target. To confuse and scare a victim, attackers may delete several files from the computer. However, if a user pays the ransom, it isn't a guarantee that the information will be restored or ransomware itself will be deleted.
Installation: When the payload is downloaded, the next step is infection. The malware drops a small file that is often capable of defense evasion. The ransomware executes and attempts to gain persistence on the infected system by putting itself to autorun the registry keys, allowing remote attackers to control the system.
Command-and-Control: The malware then connects to the attackers' command and control (C2) server to receive instructions and, primarily, to deposit the asymmetric private encryption key out of the victim's reach.
Destruction: Once files get encrypted, the malware deletes original copies on the system, and the only way to restore them is to decrypt encoded files.
Extortion: Here come ransom notes. The victim gets to know that his data is compromised. The payment range varies according to the type of target. To confuse and scare a victim, attackers may delete several files from the computer. However, if a user pays the ransom, it isn't a guarantee that the information will be restored or ransomware itself will be deleted.
Free Ransomware Recovery and Prevention Checklist
Secure Monkey provides services to help you protect against ransomware or recover from a breach. Download our free Ransomware Recovery and Prevention Checklist by filling out the form below.
Our Portfolio of Services
- Readiness assessment to understand your current level of exposure
- In-depth IT infrastructure audit to identify areas of improvement throughout your organization
- Incidence response planning to create an organization-wide plan for decreasing the risk and exposure to malware and service disruption
- Staff training to make sure staff is aware of existing and new threats
- C-Level and executive training to make sure the executive team is fully aware of business and operational risks
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