Ransomware attacks have become one of the most talked about topics of recent months. All over the world, organizations have been victims of groups that steal and hijack information using malicious software in search of million dollar payments.
Cases of corporations that had their operations compromised turned on the alert within organizations. As a result, we can see a growth in the investment in cybersecurity teams to better deal with these threats.
How Ransomware Attacks Affect Organizations
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cyber threats to organizations. Exploiting system and network vulnerabilities, and using techniques such as phishing, criminals have taken advantage to plant malicious software known as ransomware to hijack and steal information, causing millions in damages.
Even adopting protective measures, using firewalls, antivirus and applying layers to ensure their security, organizations still suffer from their vulnerabilities. Let's learn a little more about the ways used by hacker groups around the world to extort victims and what ways to protect themselves.
Gateway
Typically, this type of cybercrime starts with known ways to break into systems and hijack information.
By infiltrating malicious software designed to encrypt files on a device, groups of hackers can make any data or system that depends on them unusable. Blocking this information, they demand millionaire ransoms to normalize the systems and return the information.
Phishing is one of the techniques used by criminals to infiltrate. They impersonate well-known people or brands, sharing a malicious link via email, SMS, or even messages in messaging apps and social media posts.
In addition, they exploit system and software vulnerabilities to carry out these attacks. Thus, they look for loopholes in websites and virtual stores, and may find even more abrupt ways to break into any type of system and access essential information.
What are the consequences of ransomware attacks
Once these groups have access to the information, they can use it in any way they want. Thus, they can extort victims in different ways that go beyond data blocking.
Since paying the ransom is not a guarantee that data and systems will be restored, organizations that back up their information choose not to pay. However, criminals threaten to make the information publicly available, forcing payment.
It is worth remembering that with new privacy and data protection laws, organizations can also face fines if sensitive information is leaked. Even so, paying ransoms may not be the best option, as there is no guarantee that the data will not be published.
In addition to these ways, hackers can compromise the operation of systems and servers, overloading them to stay down.
Even by hijacking information and paralyzing operations, attackers can still inform customers and investors about the attack, asking those people to contact the attacked company.
As groups act in different ways, they can extort victims in different ways. Also, these techniques are not necessarily used in an order.
How can organizations protect themselves?
International government organizations focused on information security share often share best practice primers to protect themselves from a ransomware attack. Here, we suggest some essential steps to ensure greater security against these attacks
If you don't have an incident recovery plan where you work, this may be a good first step. Thus, implementing a plan to deal with and outline information recovery strategies is also essential.
Having control over the device inventory, keeping everyone up to date, also ensures that criminals don't exploit outdated system vulnerabilities. In addition, it is essential to periodically check the security protocols of websites and servers.
Another way to protect yourself is to demonstrate to people that cybercrime is present in different media. Thus, it is important that everyone involved is aware of threats that can open doors for attackers, preventing phishing attacks.
Making the subject of digital security closer to people's daily lives is dealing with the most strategic link of information security. And we at PhishX can help you with this challenge.
With constant training, sending simulations and communications through different communication platforms, people are more attentive to threats. This closes yet another door to criminals.
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