Data Security & Compliance Blog

DarkSide ransomware first arrived on the scene in August 2020, and was last updated in March 2021. The DarkSide group has a history of extorting high-profile organizations using the “double extortion” technique, which involves taking copies of the victim’s data before encrypting it. In addition to threatening to destroy the decryption key if the victim refuses to pay the ransom, they will also threaten to expose their sensitive data to … Read more

Locky ransomware arrived on the scene in 2016, and, as with most ransomware strains, arrives in the form of an email attachment. This particular strain is disguised as an invoice, requesting a payment. The attachment is a Microsoft Word document, which contains malicious macros. When the victim opens the document to see what the invoice is about, they are presented with gibberish text, along with a heading that says “Enable … Read more

The WannaCry ransomware attack affected an estimated 230,000 computers across 150 countries, costing around $4 billion in losses. The attack took place in May 2017, and was arguably the most devastating cyber-attack to date. The attack was a form of crypto-ransomware, which is where the victim’s data is encrypted and is the most common type of ransomware. How WannaCry Ransomware Works The WannaCry strain specifically targets computers using Microsoft Windows. … Read more

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, along with both the demands and payments. And with double (and triple) extortion techniques being used, and Ransomware-as-a-Service becoming more popular, I think it would be reasonable to assume that the problem will likely get worse, before, or if, it gets better. Sure, we can educate our employees to ensure that they know how to identify potentially malicious emails, and we can monitor and … Read more

When discussing ways to prevent ransomware, people frequently cite the importance of educating employees about how to identify and report suspicious emails, as the most effective approach to ransomware prevention. Since employees are our first line of defense, and are typically the weakest link, there is some truth to this approach. The problem, however, is that unlike computers, which in most cases perform as instructed, people make mistakes. And all … Read more

Hive is a strain of ransomware that was first discovered in June 2021. Hive was designed to be used by Ransomware-as-a-service providers, to enable novice cyber-criminals to launch ransomware attacks on healthcare providers, energy providers, charities, and retailers across the globe. In addition to using social engineering techniques, such as phishing, to deliver the payload, Hive uses a number of other advanced techniques to exploit vulnerabilities on public-facing systems, and … Read more

The Ransomware industry continues to thrive, while companies, large and small, fumble their way through in the hope that they don’t become the next headline. Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, and the ongoing pandemic has left companies exposed as cyber-criminals were keen to pick-off unsuspecting homeworkers, separated from the herd. However, the ongoing shift has prompted companies to re-think the way they address security threats, which will probably … Read more

Ransomware has become its own industry – a multi-billion dollar industry to be more precise. In 2021, it was estimated that the cost of ransomware to businesses would exceed $20 billion. What is Ransomware-as-a-Service Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is a service offered by cyber-criminals that enables those without the relevant technical skills to launch their own ransomware campaigns. Ransomware-as-a-Service vendors offer a variety of subscription models, which include monthly subscription plans, a … Read more

As it stands, the statistics relating to the effect ransomware is having on cloud services are sparse, to say the least. However, fortunately, most organizations are aware of the threat that ransomware poses, and are keen to find reliable ways to prevent, remove and recover from an infection. The problem is that there isn’t a fool-proof way of preventing such attacks from occurring. Instead, we have to rely on a … Read more

Knowing how to detect ransomware is more critical now than ever before. Ransomware attacks are on the rise. According to recent research, the number of ransomware attacks nearly doubled in the first half of 2021, with the United States being the most targeted country – accounting for roughly 55% of infections. What is Ransomware and How Does it Work? Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts the victim’s data … Read more