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Ransomware is malware that encrypts the data of a user. The data is rendered unusable and the victim is ordered to pay a ransom fee to decrypt the data. Ransomware has increased in sophistication in recent years.
In this article, we’ll cover targets and types of ransomware attacks and some immediate steps you can take if you have been a victim of a ransomware attack. Read on to learn about ransomware threat protection and prevention, including pre-execution, pre-damage, and post-damage.
In this article you will learn about:
Ransomware is malware that encrypts user data, making it useless to the victim. The attacker demands a ransom free in exchange for decrypting the data. Payment is typically demanded in cryptocurrency, and the costs can range between hundreds and thousands of dollars. Even if the ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that the data will be restored.
In 2018 there were an estimated 204 million ransomware attacks—a staggering number, but down significantly from 638 million in 2016, when the threat was still new and most organizations were unprepared.
Ransomware has become more sophisticated over time. While the original ransomware was limited to encrypting a single endpoint, current variants have advanced distribution mechanisms allowing them to spread to multiple endpoints and evade detection. Modern ransomware encrypts its own code to make reverse engineering difficult and can use offline encryption methods such as the Windows CryptoAPI, eliminating the need for communication with a command and control center.
Organizations of all sizes, as well as smaller businesses and home users, can be the target of a ransomware attack. The following are especially attractive targets for ransomware attackers:
There are several variations on the ransomware model. The classic type is encrypting ransomware that locks access to files on an endpoint.
Other types include screen-locking ransomware that locks users out of a computer, sometimes claiming that the computer was locked by the authorities and doxware which threatens to share a user’s public information publicly if a ransom is not paid.
The following are common malware kits used to conduct ransomware attacks:
There are many more ransomware kits including CryptoWall, the FBI Virus and TeslaCrypt. Each of these has spun off thousands of variants.
Whether you can remove ransomware depends on the type you are infected with. Most ransomware can be defeated with one of the three following approaches:
If you’ve been infected by malware, here are some quick steps you can take to remove the malware and prevent further damage:
The best way to deal with ransomware is to prevent it from infecting your systems and preparing measures to prevent damage if you are infected. Here are preventive measures you can take to help at each stage of a ransomware attack: pre-execution, post-execution but pre-damage, damage, and post-damage.
To prevent ransomware completely, follow these best practices:
To isolate a ransomware attack once it has already begun, prevent it from spreading and encrypting additional files, follow these best practices:
To enable speedy recovery from future ransomware attacks, do the following:
Cynet 360 is an Advanced Threat Detection and Response platform that provides protection against threats, including ransomware, zero-day attacks, advanced persistent threats (APT), and trojans that can evade signature-based security measures.
Cynet provides a multi-layered approach to stop ransomware from executing and encrypting your data:
Learn more about how Cynet 360 can protect your organization against ransomware and other advanced threats.
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