Ransomware Assaults and Their Evasion Methods: Discovering 6 Variants and Their Protective Measures
In the ever-evolving digital world, safeguarding data and crucial information has become a necessity. One of the most prevalent and harmful types of cybercrime today is ransomware attacks. These assaults often involve encryption or locking essential data and demanding payment to restore them. From simple blackmail tactics to sophisticated double extortion operations, ransomware comes in various shapes and forms. To build an effective cybersecurity strategy, it's essential to understand the different types of ransomware attacks and how to combat them. So, let's dive into the world of ransomware and learn how to protect ourselves.
What the Heck is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a malicious software that essentially kidnaps a target's files or denies them access to their computers by first encrypting them and then demanding a payment, called a ransom, for the files to be decrypted. These infections can spread through phishing emails, software loopholes, and other cyber vulnerabilities. The attackers usually demand payment in the form of cryptocurrency, but even after paying the money, there's no guarantee that the victims will get their data back.
The Six Deadly Types of Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks can be categorized based on their complexity and scope. Here's a quick rundown of the most common types of ransomware attacks and some prevention strategies you can employ.
1. Crypt Ransomware
The most famous form of ransomware, crypt ransomware encrypts a victim's data and demands a specific ransom for the files to be unlocked. These encrypted files remain unusable until the ransom is paid. The decryption key is only with the attackers.
Examples:- WannaCry- CryptoLocker- Petya/NotPetya- Ryuk
2. Locker Ransomware
Locker ransomware is a malware programmed to restrict access to computer systems or data until a ransom is paid to the attackers. This type of ransomware takes control of the entire computer and effectively disables any data usage.
Examples:- System Locking- No Encryption- Ransom Demands- Timer- Fake Legal Threats
3. Double Extortion Ransomware
Double extortion ransomware is a modern evolution of ransomware attacks, as the attackers employ a two-pronged model to make the victims pay the ransom. This ransomware first encrypts the data just like in regular ransomware attacks and then also exfiltrates and threatens to leak or sell the stolen data if the ransom isn't paid.
Examples:- Maze Ransomware- REvil (Sodinokibi) Ransomware- DoppelPaymer Ransomware- Clop Ransomware
4. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is an innovative model in which the ransomware developers sell the malware to the 'affiliates' in return for a percentage of the profits. Instead of creating the malware, the affiliates only use it to stage attacks, while the creators manage the update and maintenance of the ransomware.
Examples:- REvil (Sodinokibi) RaaS- DarkSide RaaS- LockBit RaaS- Conti RaaS
5. Scareware
Scareware is a new genre of malware, whose sole purpose is to scare users into thinking their PC is under attack from viruses or other malicious programs. Common types include fake antivirus software, Mac Defender (Mac-specific Scareware), and Windows Security Essentials Alert.
6. Doxware (Extortionware)
Doxware, also known as extortionware, is a subcategory of ransomware that involves features of doxing and ransomware. After the Doxware attack, not only is access to the files blocked, but the criminals threaten to post sensitive or personal images if the ransom isn't paid.
Examples:- Chimera Ransomware- Ransom X- Sextortion Scams- Ragnar Locker
How to Safeguard Yourself from Ransomware Attacks
In a digital world, preventing ransomware attacks is crucial for protecting data and ensuring business continuity. Organizations can significantly lower their susceptibility to these attacks by following a proactive strategy that includes frequent data backups, robust security measures, and employee training. Here are some effective strategies to follow:
- Regular Backups: Regularly back up your data to an external location or a secure cloud service. This helps you avoid the problem and recover your data without having to pay the ransom to the attackers.
- Using Strong Security Solutions: Install the latest antispyware and antivirus tools that can detect ransomware before it implements its code. Set up firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to facilitate and prevent potential threats.
- Keeping Software Up-to-Date: Always keep your operating system, applications, and software updated. Updates are essential to protect unpatched operating systems, applications, and software vulnerabilities, which ransomware often exploits. It is recommended to implement patch management to keep your system updated at all times.
- User Education and Awareness: Frequently train all employees to identify and report phishing emails, suspicious attachments, and other social engineering scams that usually carry ransomware.
- Email Security: Implement filters to check the possibility of phishing and avoid connecting with or sending virus-containing attachments. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for the company's email accounts to avoid unauthorized access.
- Application Whitelisting: Restrict your systems to allow only those applications that are known and trusted to be used, which helps avoid unknown and unauthorized applications, like ransomware, from being run.
- Network Segmentation: Reduce connectivity wherever feasible to minimize ransomware's ability to move across the entire infrastructure. This helps direct access to the data or files that a user should not see or access in their line of duty.
- Incident Response Plan: Be prepared to act quickly when an attack occurs, as part of the countermeasure strategies.
- Disabling Macros in Office Files: Do not enable macros in Office documents by default, as malware is often supplied in documents that contain macro viruses.
- Use Strong Authentication Methods: This includes using a minimum of two factors, such as an ID and a password, to access certain systems and enforcing the use of hard and complex passwords.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding different categories of ransomware is vital to deploy suitable measures to defend against the numerous and complex attacks. Each type of ransomware is dangerous in its own way and can lead to devastating outcomes. It is possible to drastically lower the vulnerability of organizations to ransomware attacks through the implementation of comprehensive preventive measures, including data backup, security measures, employee training, and incident response measures.
Related Posts:- Business Cyber Security 101: Tips to Secure your organization- 10 Most Common Cyber Security Threats and How to Protect Yourself- The Essential Future of Cybersecurity: Trends and Predictions- The Efficacy of Antivirus Programs: Can They Really Protect You?- Safeguarding Data: The Importance of Cybersecurity- 10 Tips for Protecting Customer's Data and Keeping it safe
- Technology plays a crucial role in combating ransomware attacks, as effective antivirus and antispyware solutions, paired with strong firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), help detect and prevent ransomware before it installs its code.
- In the world of data-and-cloud-computing, one of the essential strategies to safeguard against ransomware is to regularly back up data to an external location or secure cloud service, ensuring the recovery of data without paying the ransom.
