Ransomware encrypts data on a victim's device and threatens to keep the device locked unless the victim pays the attacker a ransom. Almost all current ransomware attacks are double ones that demand a ransom to free the data and prevent theft. Triple-threat attacks are also on the rise, where attackers add more IT project management consultants to their attacks to expand their attack surface.

How ransomware works

As mentioned earlier, most ransomware attacks are carried out via email. Once the victim opens the email, downloads the attachment and executes it, the following stages typically occur:

Stage 1 - enlightenment

The most sophisticated ransomware variants conduct surveys to identify vulnerabilities and spread them to other systems. Such activity may include public sharing, sensitive data, backups, inactive user accounts, and searches of Bitcoin wallets for theft. Some strains will try to delete files associated with the cyber security service to make it harder for the victim to retrieve their data once encrypted.

Stage 2 – Backdoors

The ransomware script will establish a communication channel with the attacker's Command & Control (C&C) server to obtain the encryption key and possibly extract copies of the victim's data before starting the encryption process.

Stage 3 – Encryption

Once the encryption key has been obtained, the script will begin encrypting the files on the victim's local machine and, if possible, spread to other systems.

Types of Ransomware

While more advanced and varied strains of ransomware continue to evolve, below are the main types of ransomware we see today:

Crypto-Ransomware

This is the most common type of ransomware and is where the script encrypts the victim's data and then demands payment for the decryption key.

Locker Ransomware

This is where the script locks the victim out of their system and then presents them with a ransom note. Unlike crypto-ransomware, Locker ransomware does not encrypt victim data.

Best practices to prevent ransomware attacks

As already mentioned, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, organizations should respond to breaches and take proactive measures to prevent ransomware attacks. Here are some key tips you can implement to protect against ransomware attacks.

1. Protect your data and maintain backups

However, the most important consideration is that the attackers may have intentionally performed online backups before deploying the ransomware in the environment. Therefore, when developing an anti-ransomware backup infrastructure, the process should be carefully planned to minimize the risk of compromised backups with the help of cyber security services.

Storing backup copies offline prevents threat actors from targeting them. Cloud services can also be used to prevent ransomware attacks, as they often hold previous versions of files and have access to unencrypted versions of data. To ensure the process is working properly, you should test your backups regularly to ensure they are restored as expected. 

2. Keep All Systems and Software Updated

To prevent ransomware, keep all your applications, operating systems, and software up to date. Malware, viruses and ransomware are constantly evolving, with new variants that can bypass traditional security features. So it's important to ensure everything is patched and up to date.

3. Install antivirus and firewall technology

Comprehensive antivirus and antimalware software is the most common way to defend against malware by scanning, detecting, and responding to ransomware attacks. Many advanced ransomware variants can bypass most antivirus solutions, but they are still required to block known variants.

A firewall protects against ransomware attacks by filtering and monitoring incoming and outgoing network traffic. A firewall uses predefined rules and threat intelligence to look for signs of known malicious content and block potential risks. It is considered the first software-based line of defence to detect and stop ransomware threats.

Conclusion

The cyber security service lets you detect, alert, and respond to suspected ransomware attacks in real time. These events include creating privileged accounts, occasional account access, and emailing from the network.