Cyberattacks are on the rise and show no sign of slowing down. In 2021 global businesses experienced 925 cyberattacks a week per organization. That’s a 50% increase compared with 2020! Not only that, but data breaches can cost businesses an average of $4.24 million.
At the end of 2021, Cybersecurity Ventures predicted that a business will be the target of a ransomware assault every 11 seconds. As a result of so many attacks, ransomware is the most rapidly rising cybercrime. There’s no question that every company is susceptible to a ransomware attack and the increased risk should not go unattended.
To protect your business’s sensitive information and avoid expensive ransom payments, you should consider solutions such as Ransomware Protection as a Service™ (RPaaS™) from InterVision. We have many preventative measures you can take to keep your information safe. Let’s talk about the types of ransomware you should look out for and ways to avoid getting your network infected.
How Many Types of Ransomware Are There?
There are four main types of ransomware, crypto, locker, scareware, and doxware/leakware. Ransomware overall is a type of malicious software (malware) that drastically affects your computer or network after infection. Some ransomware renders your computer or device completely useless, while others pose as legitimate programs that say your computer is infected and needs to be fixed. All of these tactics are used in order to scare victims into paying fees (ransoms) to retrieve or unlock their data.
- Crypto ransomware makes files inaccessible through encrypting them by “scrambling” the contents so they’re unreadable by the computer and user.
- Locker ransomware completely locks victims out of their system, removing access to all files and data contained on the network.
- Scareware totally disables a computer or produces pop-up messages by claiming a virus or other issue is present on the system and cannot be fixed without payment.
- Doxware/leakware extorts victims with threats to release sensitive information to the public or other interested parties.
After infecting a computer with ransomware, cybercriminals demand payment for the release of your information or system.. No matter the type of ransomware, businesses should prioritize security to avoid vulnerabilities that can lead to their data being held captive like this. InterVision makes sure your data is safe against ransomware attacks by addressing risks head on. But what are common tactics cybercriminals use to infect computers and networks?
What Are the Different Types of Ransomware Attacks?
In comparison to 2020, ransomware attacks grew by 92.7 percent in 2021 and they are projected to continue increasing .
How do attacks maintain to be so successful with awareness of scams and untrustworthy sites so prominent? Unfortunately, as awareness grows, the techniques of scammers evolve too. So what are 3 types of ransomware attacks you and your employees should be on the lookout for?
Phishing
Have you ever seen an email that looks legitimate and directs you to download an attachment or visit an official-looking site asking for login information? It’s possible they’re phishing emails! Phishing is one of the most common ransomware infection methods used to attack computers all around the world. In fact, 1 in 3000 emails (of the 306.4 billion emails sent in 2020) included some type of malware. Most of the time, these emails direct recipients to a website controlled by the attackers where malware is downloaded or user credentials are intercepted.
Drive-By Download
How frequently do you browse the internet and click on search results? Probably at least once a day. However, you might not consider the possibility that these clicks could infect your computer. Drive-by downloading occurs when malware is downloaded and installed without the user’s knowledge after visiting a website. A drive-by download, unlike many other forms of cyberattacks, does not require the user to actively enable the attack. You don’t have to click or download anything for the malware to infect your device.
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a Microsoft Windows protocol that allows users to connect to and control a remote workstation from a different location. Without getting too technical, some computers have an open Remote Desktop Connection vulnerability that attackers can find on specific search engines. After a target machine is identified, a hacker can gain access using password-cracking tools and log in as an administrator on your computer. This gives them full control over the device to begin encrypting data.
Can You Protect Against Ransomware?
There are several measures you can take to protect your devices and network from corporate ransomware attacks. Considering multiple safety measures will ensure your data stays secure. Here are a few solutions to implement:
- Comprehensive Ransomware Protection as a Service (RPaaS) from InterVision
- Anti-malware software such as Avast, Norton, or Bitdefender
- Data backups on multiple devices and cloud services
- Multi-factor authentication on all logins
- Employee training on risks associated with security breaches
Ransomware Protection You Can Trust
At InterVision, we often say, “it’s not if, but when you’ll be the victim of a successful ransomware attack.” That’s why we offer Ransomware Protection as a Service (RPaaS) to protect your sensitive data and prevent any security breaches. We focus on the entire lifecycle from detection of and protection from ransomware to the peace of mind of data recovery. Address risk, avoid ransom costs, and simplify operations with RPaaS for your business. Visit our website today to ensure you’re safe from ransomware and keep your data secure.
