What is Ransomware and How Does it Affect You?
Ransomware is malware that encrypts your files and data, rendering them unusable, until you pay the attacker a fee. This form of cyberattack has grown rapidly in recent years, resulting in significant financial losses for organizations and consumers alike.
Ransomeware attacks are fueled by an ever-increasing number of potential attack vectors, including malvertising, phishing emails with malicious attachments or exploit kits dropped by compromised websites or by remote desktop protocol (RDP). Attackers also take advantage of stolen and guessed passwords to gain access to a network via services like RDP or the Remote Web Interface.
Once inside a network, attackers focus on gaining access to systems and domains outside of the local computer or system. During this stage, known as “lateral movement,” they identify and exfiltrate (download or export) data that’s valuable to them. This could include login credentials, customer information or intellectual property.
Attackers then extort the victim by notifying them of their intent and demanding payment in cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, to regain access to data. Depending on the severity of the attack and the targeted victim, attackers may even threaten to release the stolen data. This form of cyberextortion has been the hallmark of several high-profile ransomware attacks, such as those involving Colonial Pipeline, JBS USA, Travelex and the government of Costa Rica.