Ransomware is one of the most dangerous online cyber threats and has the power to shut down whole networks and cause havoc to businesses. We should all be aware of the risks of a ransomware attack and how serious it could be to businesses. Investment in cyber security and safeguarding is important.
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What is ransomware and how do I protect myself against it?
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous online cyber threats and has the power to shut down
whole networks and cause havoc to businesses. We should all be aware of the risks of a ransomware
attack and how serious it could be to businesses.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software, also known as malware, that gains access to a user’s
computer or network and infects it by locking files, documents or systems. The information which is
being blocked is then held up for ransom until the user pays an agreed fee, which can be thousands
of pounds. If paid, the hacker will then give the user access to their files again by sharing a
decryption code or key. The motivation for ransomware attacks is almost always for financial gain,
they are rarely interested in stealing information or data. Hackers will also usually demand payment
via cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, to reduce the chance of them being identified.
What happens during a ransomware attack?
Usually, a ransomware attack will begin with an email that looks like it has come from a legitimate
source. The email will feature a link that users will be encouraged to click, as ransomware always
needs interaction from the user to activate. Once the user’s system has been compromised, certain
files or all files will be taken control of by malware and the user will no longer be able to access
them.
The victim will then be contacted by the hacker, who will usually outline their financial demands.
Once the ransom is paid, the user’s data is usually restored, however, this does not always happen.
In general, hackers are true to their word when it comes to ransomware attacks, as if they never
kept their end of the bargain, users are less likely to hand over the cash. But, at the end of the day,
they are criminals, so they don’t always give the data back after getting their money.
When did ransomware attacks start and what is their history?
The first reported ransomware attack that we know of took place in 1989 and targeted the
healthcare industry. Hackers hid malware on floppy disks alongside an AIDS health questionnaire
which lay dormant on user’s computers until the PC had booted up 90 times! Once the malware was
triggered, cybercriminals would then ask the users to send them money in return for them
decrypting their files. Thankfully, the encryption which was used during this attack was relatively
simple and so computer savvy users could easily reverse it.
After this initial ransomware attack, this type of cyberattack remained relatively uncommon until the
mid-2000s. In 2011, cybercriminals developed a worm which imitated the Windows Product
Activation notice. It proved very dangerous, as users couldn’t tell the difference between the threat
and the legitimate notice from Windows.
In the following years there were many ransomware attacks including Mor, TorrentLocker,
CryptoWall, Cryakl, Scatter, Lortok, Aura, and Shade. However, it wasn’t until the famous WannaCry
ransomware attack in 2017 that this kind of attack became public knowledge.
Ransomware today
Unfortunately, ransomware has developed so that today, cybercriminals can actually buy toolkits, or
ransomware as a service programs, which enables hackers with minimal technical experience to
download and deploy ransomware very easily. This has meant that ransomware attacks have seen
an increase, with McAfee Labs Threats Reports recording a staggering 118% rise in attacks in the first
quarter of 2019.
What can I do to protect myself against ransomware attacks?
If you believe that you or your business could be at risk of a ransomware attack, there are a number
of things you can do to help protect yourselves:
Back up your data and information.
This is a future proof way of ensuring that your data is safe. A secure cloud-based backup
service will have multi-layered security and good encryption services.
Always update your software.
Hackers are known to target organisations that have outdated systems, so it’s very wise to
always keep your programs and systems updated. When it comes to updates, they are
almost always to help with security, as well as improving your package, so it’s never a bad
idea to run all of your updates regularly.
Educate your employees.
Make sure you train your teams on how to spot malware and phishing scams, plus make it
company policy to use strong passwords. This will help your information stay safe and
secure.
Invest in cybersecurity.
As the number of attacks continue to grow, it’s never been more important for your
business to invest in cybersecurity.
Use your common sense.
It may sound obvious, but you should always be careful online. Never click on links from
strange emails, don’t open attachments from people you don’t know, and if you’re not
expecting a message or email, always double check the sender. Ransomware can be hidden
in all sorts of files, systems and software, so always be vigilant and take care when opening
links and files.
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous online cyber threats and has the power to shut down
whole networks and cause havoc to businesses. We should all be aware of the risks of a ransomware
attack and how serious it could be to businesses.
What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software, also known as malware, that gains access to a user’s
computer or network and infects it by locking files, documents or systems. The information which is
being blocked is then held up for ransom until the user pays an agreed fee, which can be thousands
of pounds. If paid, the hacker will then give the user access to their files again by sharing a
decryption code or key. The motivation for ransomware attacks is almost always for financial gain,
they are rarely interested in stealing information or data. Hackers will also usually demand payment
via cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, to reduce the chance of them being identified.
What happens during a ransomware attack?
Usually, a ransomware attack will begin with an email that looks like it has come from a legitimate
source. The email will feature a link that users will be encouraged to click, as ransomware always
needs interaction from the user to activate. Once the user’s system has been compromised, certain
files or all files will be taken control of by malware and the user will no longer be able to access
them.
The victim will then be contacted by the hacker, who will usually outline their financial demands.
Once the ransom is paid, the user’s data is usually restored, however, this does not always happen.
In general, hackers are true to their word when it comes to ransomware attacks, as if they never
kept their end of the bargain, users are less likely to hand over the cash. But, at the end of the day,
they are criminals, so they don’t always give the data back after getting their money.
When did ransomware attacks start and what is their history?
The first reported ransomware attack that we know of took place in 1989 and targeted the
healthcare industry. Hackers hid malware on floppy disks alongside an AIDS health questionnaire
which lay dormant on user’s computers until the PC had booted up 90 times! Once the malware was
triggered, cybercriminals would then ask the users to send them money in return for them
decrypting their files. Thankfully, the encryption which was used during this attack was relatively
simple and so computer savvy users could easily reverse it.
After this initial ransomware attack, this type of cyberattack remained relatively uncommon until the
mid-2000s. In 2011, cybercriminals developed a worm which imitated the Windows Product
Activation notice. It proved very dangerous, as users couldn’t tell the difference between the threat
and the legitimate notice from Windows.
In the following years there were many ransomware attacks including Mor, TorrentLocker,
CryptoWall, Cryakl, Scatter, Lortok, Aura, and Shade. However, it wasn’t until the famous WannaCry
ransomware attack in 2017 that this kind of attack became public knowledge.
Ransomware today
Unfortunately, ransomware has developed so that today, cybercriminals can actually buy toolkits, or
ransomware as a service programs, which enables hackers with minimal technical experience to
download and deploy ransomware very easily. This has meant that ransomware attacks have seen
an increase, with McAfee Labs Threats Reports recording a staggering 118% rise in attacks in the first
quarter of 2019.
What can I do to protect myself against ransomware attacks?
If you believe that you or your business could be at risk of a ransomware attack, there are a number
of things you can do to help protect yourselves:
Back up your data and information.
This is a future proof way of ensuring that your data is safe. A secure cloud-based backup
service will have multi-layered security and good encryption services.
Always update your software.
Hackers are known to target organisations that have outdated systems, so it’s very wise to
always keep your programs and systems updated. When it comes to updates, they are
almost always to help with security, as well as improving your package, so it’s never a bad
idea to run all of your updates regularly.
Educate your employees.
Make sure you train your teams on how to spot malware and phishing scams, plus make it
company policy to use strong passwords. This will help your information stay safe and
secure.
Invest in cybersecurity.
As the number of attacks continue to grow, it’s never been more important for your
business to invest in cybersecurity.
Use your common sense.
It may sound obvious, but you should always be careful online. Never click on links from
strange emails, don’t open attachments from people you don’t know, and if you’re not
expecting a message or email, always double check the sender. Ransomware can be hidden
in all sorts of files, systems and software, so always be vigilant and take care when opening
links and files.