Ransomware attacks are a hazard that every business needs to be aware of. When a ransomware attack is carried out, cyber criminals threaten to withhold or even leak company data if a ransom isn’t paid. There are different ransomware attacks that could befall your company, whether your business is large or small. Some famous cases have been prominent in the news and they’re worth keeping in mind for the methods that they have used and how similar things could affect your business.
Take a look at these most damaging ransomware attacks and how you can avoid becoming a victim of them.
Maze
Maze first occurred in 2019 and has seen become a lot more common. In its malware class, more than a third of attacks came from Maze. The group was some of the first people to steal data before encryption, threatening to publish the stolen data. They also started to report their activities to the media. They started to wind down what they were doing in late 2020 but chose victims including banks and international corporations before doing so.
Conti
Conti is another ransomware that was very present in 2020, with the people behind it remaining active. The ransomware encrypts files and sends copies to ransomware operators, who threaten to publish the data online if their demands aren’t met. Interestingly, they also say they will tell people how to repair the flaw in their security if they pay up.
SamSam
SamSam is a ransomware attack that has been around for a few years now, since 2015. However, it is not a thing of the past and is still something to be vigilant about. It’s a very active ransomware that has targeted server vulnerabilities. It also seems to be manually controlled, with someone making well-researched decisions about who to target.
WannaCry
WannaCry might be one of the most well-known ransomware attacks due to some high-profile cases. It has been used to target large organizations Telefonica and the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. One of the dangers of this attack is that it can all be set off by someone clicking on a link in an email, a problem that can easily occur if staff has not had proper security training and email filters don’t provide enough protection.
Petya
Petya is another ransomware attack that has been in the news, along with a new form of it dubbed NotPetya. It encrypts files and then locks people out of their Windows systems. It has had a significant impact across the world, particularly in some countries such as Russia and Ukraine.
How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks
Robust cybersecurity is vital to protect businesses from ransomware. If you want to prevent ransomware incidents, you need IT services in Cincinnati to create and manage a cybersecurity strategy. Good cybersecurity includes a range of different elements, from firewalls and antivirus software to staff training. It’s important that everyone within an organization is aware of the threats that ransomware poses and the best ways to prevent them.
