Ransomware Attack Targets

Whether you’re looking for more information about Ransomware attacks or want to know how to protect your organization against them, this article will help you.

Schools

During the last few years, the K-12 education segment has been the biggest target of ransomware attacks. According to the Cybersecurity Resource Center, there have been more than 40 school district-targeted ransomware attacks since 2021, resulting in a total of $3.5 billion in damages.

One of the biggest challenges for school districts is their limited resources for computer security. Many are running old operating systems and need more time, money, or expertise to secure their infrastructure.

Fortunately, there are steps that schools can take to help protect themselves. The first is to ensure that all users understand the proper way to secure their network. This includes multi-factor authentication, strong password policies, and the importance of using the latest patches.

Another good idea is to establish better security control for remote learning tools. This includes limiting third-party access to the district’s network. You will also learn tips on finding the most common ransomware attack targets, what to look for in an attacker, and how to prevent a breach.

Public and Private Sector Organizations

Despite the widespread and growing sophistication of cyberattacks, not all ransomware is created equal. While destructive attacks may render enterprise devices inoperable, a successful defense relies on a prepared plan and a well-rehearsed strategy.

In 2021, healthcare organizations suffered the second-highest average cost to remediate the impact of a ransomware attack. However, the amount of data returned to these organizations after paying the ransom remained the lowest. Only 2% of those organizations received all of their data back.

A newly discovered hacking group targeted universities and telecommunications facilities in the Middle East. It bypassed native security solutions and exploited web browser vulnerabilities.

The Russian-linked hackers exfiltrated emails from U.S. defense contractors and other government entities. They also threatened to release the stolen information publicly. In addition, they hacked oil terminals in Europe.

The attack also caused gas shortages on the East Coast. The United States Department of Homeland Security issued cybersecurity regulations for the pipeline industry.

Networks and IT Infrastructure

Typically, when an organization is hit by ransomware, they are faced with several challenges. These challenges include restoring access to data, re-establishing operations, and containment and eradicating the virus.

The key to minimizing an attack’s impact is recognizing the malicious activity as soon as possible. If you detect malicious activity, report it to federal law enforcement and local regulators. This saves time and money.

The first step is ensuring that you have a robust patch management infrastructure. Ideally, patches are applied immediately and automatically. If you cannot do so, then you should have the plan to apply patches quickly.

In the future, you will want to enact a proactive patch management policy that allows for the application of patches as soon as they are released. This can help to prevent new exploitable vulnerabilities from appearing.

Zero-day Vulnerabilities

Defending against a typical ransomware attack that targets zero-day vulnerabilities requires a multilevel cybersecurity strategy. This strategy includes patch management, software-based security solutions, and hardware-based security technologies. These solutions are designed to proactively identify and protect devices that have been vulnerable to attacks.

A zero-day vulnerability is an exploit that uses a known software flaw to access a system without installing a program or downloading a file. While zero-day vulnerabilities are a severe threat to your organization, a proactive security strategy is the best way to reduce the risk.

Zero-day attacks are typically delivered via email attachments that exploit vulnerabilities in specific file types. They can also occur through social engineering or web browser vulnerabilities.

Detecting zero-day vulnerabilities can be complex, but IT experts can mitigate the risk using malware detection technologies. They can also examine code for abnormal behavior indicating an advanced threat.

Phishing Attacks

Despite the rise of more sophisticated cyberattack methods, phishing attacks remain a significant threat. These attacks trap vulnerable users, stealing their credentials and sensitive information. A phishing attack can have devastating consequences.

The number of phishing attacks has increased significantly in recent years. There are various phishing attacks, each targeting a different target audience. They can be email, text messages, or phone scams.

The attacker will impersonate a legitimate individual or institution in a typical phishing attack. They will send a spoofed version of an invoice or other important document. This fraudulent document will be attached to a malicious link redirecting the victim to a malicious site. The malicious site will install malware and reveal sensitive information.

Aside from email, other phishing attacks are carried out by instant messaging, smishing, and voice phishing. Using a combination of coercion and deceit, the attacker will convince the user to provide him with privileged information.

Blended Attacks

Several industries have been hit with ransomware in recent years. Education, retail, healthcare, professional services, and energy are some of the most commonly targeted sectors. Some attacks have even blended with more traditional malicious activity to maximize the damage they cause.

A full-blown data breach can be catastrophic for an organization. It can impede operations, expose confidential data, and ruin reputations.

The first step in minimizing a ransomware attack is identifying its source. In many cases, it begins with an unsolicited email. Keeping your email gateways clean of common infection vectors can help.

Next, a firewall can protect you from potentially malicious traffic. A next-generation firewall can block traffic not allowed to pass through. Using encryption to protect sensitive data will also prevent it from being leaked.

Finally, a security incident management solution can detect and respond to an attack. The answer can alert your security teams, help manage the incident and provide forensics during the recovery phase.