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Ransomware Attacks and Strategies to Avoid Them in 2023

With the rise of ransomware attacks, there is a need for companies to become more aware of their risk profiles and how they can mitigate them.

They should also be able to detect when a ransomware attack is underway and take appropriate measures. The following sections will discuss two types of ransomware: CryptoLocker and WannaCry. 

CryptoLocker is mostly against Windows systems, while WannaCry exploits the same vulnerability as WannaCry but in this case, it targets Linux.

Here are some key differences between CryptoLocker and WannaCry: WannaCry uses a newer attack vector — CVE-2017-0143 (aka EternalBlue)CryptoLocker uses an older attack vector – CVE-2013-4329CryptoLocker is ransomware, while WannaCry is not.

The first thing that you need to know about ransomware or any type of malware for that matter is that it needs to be initiated via email to a legitimate user.

This can be done by anybody who has access to the compromised system and can download and execute a trojan.

This means it does not require any type of persistence or drive-by downloads and hence is completely anonymous.

It also does not require a malicious payload to be delivered like a human infected with ransomware could be and hence is more popularly known as a “ransomware” attack.

The most common way to initiate an email attack is via the exploit in CVE-2013 -0550. It is a vulnerability in Outlook and Windows that was quickly patched by Microsoft.

However, large numbers of users have failed to patch their version and the attack can be initiated via the infected MSExchange server that is part of an email exchange.

The exploit takes advantage of CVE-2013-1739 which provides remote code execution on the victim’s computer via what is thought to be a “jump table” which is accessed through the Registry.

This attack takes advantage of the fact that only a small subset of the Registry keys are encrypted and hence can be manipulated without requiring any encryption at all.

The same exploit also works against Outlook on iOS and Android using an infected app called FMX (Freedesktop Exchange) in combination with another application that is installed on the devices by default.

Since this attack was first made publicly known, Microsoft has issued a security bulletin for Windows 10. 

How to Protect Yourself from Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is becoming more and more popular. It can steal your data, infect your computer with malware, and even lock you out of the system.

It has now become a serious problem in Western countries. Some of the more common ransomware like CryptoSlave, CryptoLocker and Locky have attracted attention from “Valve” and Microsoft, who released patches against them.

Unfortunately, some of these are still out there and can infect your computer no matter what you do.

Kaspersky analyzed some of this malware and found that they are all related to ransomware or similar anti-malware tools which were made by the same person, and they use different names as well.

They can also be found on “Scanner-on-a-Chip” devices like the popular Linksys WRT54G router, but it is often hidden in the firmware of these routers.

We will be referring to them as ransomware malware because they are all designed to lock your files and prevent you from accessing them.

The following table shows their names according to different ransomware infections (note that some of these names may also be used by other malware), and how they usually infect your computer. 

How to Find the Best Ransomware Protection Software for Your Business

To protect your business from ransomware, you need to have a good understanding of the threats that are out there. For example, the latest trend is ransomware protection software.

There are many different types of software out there and some of them are good and some aren’t so good. The best way to choose one is to pay attention to your business needs and requirements.

If you want an easy-to-use application that will do everything for you, then go with a free version. If you want something more advanced and powerful, then use a paid version with additional features like data encryption or file scanning.

People who make the best product will be familiar with your business needs and requirements so that they can deliver a good solution.  It is very easy to get software for free, so be careful about which one you purchase.

The type of ransomware that is generated can be different from what you have seen before. For example, the most popular method has been the .NET Portable Ransomware technique.

The most recent example of the current ransomware is called “Ransomware.Win32.Cryptic,” and it is a variant of the CryptoLocker product.

In this type of cyber attack, you need to pay to get your files back and delete the original program if you want to recover them using any other method (e.g., use data recovery software).

This type of attack has proved vulnerable to various types of malware, and this is the most common type which finds its way into the wild.

After infecting a system running an operating system with a threat such as ransomware, this malicious program will start displaying some kind of message informing you that your files have been encrypted.

After you pay some amount of money on the website or click on a link that is displayed there, the ransomware program will immediately delete the original threat and then start using a different address.

Ransomware Protection Software Acquiring is Not as Simple as it Sounds

There are many companies that have turned to ransomware protection software to protect their business against the latest cyber threats.

However, it is not as simple as it sounds. The basics of ransomware protection software acquisition are:

1. Secure access to the solution

2. Anti-virus scan of the infected machine

3. Cleaning and disinfecting of the infected machines (including anti-malware software)

4. Search for malware/spyware/trojans with advanced tools like Dr.Web, Malwarebytes, etc and detect them with a specific signature

5. Protecting the infected machine from the double-seismic installation

6. Protecting critical data from being deleted

7. Pay for any additional services at decent prices (installation and maintenance during the life)

8. Encrypting information for protection in storing (key storage)

9. Email notification to the customer within a few minutes of the installation and activation of the software

10. Detecting and blocking counterfeit versions of anti-virus protection

Why Employers Need to Add Ransomware Protection Software to Their Businesses

With the recent increase in ransomware attacks, businesses across the globe are having to deal with a lot of malware.

It is a form of malware that encrypts files on your computer and demands money to decrypt them. This is done by locking you out of your files and services until you pay a ransom.

If you have not heard about ransomware before, it is something that has been around for quite some time now but it seems like it has become more popular than ever before.

In fact, you could say that this form of malware has become more prevalent than ever before.

It is estimated that over 50% of all enterprises are affected by this type of malware each year and many companies are spending millions on all kinds of security measures to stop it from happening again.

While there are many reasons that ransomware is so popular, one of the major reasons is that it can be a very effective method of attack. Once on your system, ransomware takes complete control over your system and it will make you ‘pay’ for its services.

This could be with anything from a message demanding money to an email asking for personal information like credit card numbers or bank account details.

In fact, it even has the ability to take over a Windows system remotely. Ransomware is used by cyber-criminals to profit from their activities and can be used for extortion or for political motives such as blackmail.

However, it does not always work in these ways but there are plenty of other reasons why ransomware is so popular with cyber-criminals.

Ransomware is often used to slow down a computer or other connected device by encrypting files or data and demanding money in return for unlocking the data.

It will then automatically work on any other attached devices as long as it is still connected to the ransomware’s home network.

You can purchase a good anti-ransomware software system for your business or hire good cybersecurity professionals who can handle these threats.

Kevin James

Kevin James

I'm Kevin James, and I'm passionate about writing on Security and cybersecurity topics. Here, I'd like to share a bit more about myself. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Utica College, New York, which has been the foundation of my career in cybersecurity. As a writer, I have the privilege of sharing my insights and knowledge on a wide range of cybersecurity topics. You'll find my articles here at Cybersecurityforme.com, covering the latest trends, threats, and solutions in the field.