Businesses and government institutions are still vulnerable to ransomware. Many parties look for solutions to fight ransomware year after year in order to avoid damaging business operations.
The number of ransomware assaults is steadily increasing every year. According to Purplesec statistics, 121 ransomware attacks were recorded in the first half of 2021, up 64% compared to the previous year, with the highest ransom demand of US$100 million.
The development of businesses and ransomware kits on the dark web is predicted to drive the increase of ransomware attacks. In the next article, we'll go over what ransomware is and how to avoid and deal with it.
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious software) that encrypts or intercepts data before turning it into unreadable code, making it difficult for victims to read or even use their devices. As malicious software, ransomware often seeks ransom from victims under the pretense of restoring data access.
The victim must first decrypt the device in order to read and access the data. Meanwhile, the victim will require a code provided by the hacker as part of the ransom payment to decode it. If the ransom is not paid within a set amount of time, the data on the device will be lost.
Unlike other viruses, ransomware is one of the most harmful since it may completely disable a device's functionality.
Ransomware operates in four ways in general. To start, shut off a range of tools and apps that might be registered on the device. Second, turn off the keyboard and mouse to prevent them from being used.
Third, by downloading and showing a warning message apparently from law enforcement. Fourth, the fake warning message states that the user has visited unlawful information online and demands that he pay a fee in order to restore access to the data or device.
Ransomware often targets computers, servers, and mobile devices. The majority of ransomware affects personal computers using the Windows operating system. In most circumstances, 90 percent of ransomware-infected websites would be inaccessible for more than an hour.
Ransomware is still in the experimental phase of development on mobile devices. Online hackers still check for the results before deciding where to go next. In the meanwhile, ransomware attacks on servers are carried out through the use of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks (DDoS).
5 Types of Ransomware You Should be Aware
Ransomware, being one of the most serious threats, is divided into several types depending on how they work. Here are five different types of ransomwares to be aware of.
Encryption Ransomware
This ransomware encrypts files and folders on the device, including file systems, documents, pictures, videos, and other data, as the name implies. In an encrypted folder, hackers will put a file containing warnings and payment instructions.
Screen Lockers
This type of ransomware, unlike the encrypting type, will lock the device screen with a full screen display. This lock will disable all screens, giving the user no choice except to follow the instructions on the screen. User files may be encrypted so that they cannot be viewed in particular instances.
Master Boot Record (MBR)
This malware is installed on a computer's hard disk and is used to boot the operating system. This sort of ransomware encrypts the MBR of the machine, stopping the boot process and leaving the user with just a message display in the form of instructions from the hackers.
Encrypting Web Server
This ransomware targets web servers and encrypts website files on them, causing some files to be corrupted and the website to become invisible. This attack can occur because the CMS (content management system) used has a security vulnerability.
Mobile Device Ransomware
As the names imply, this ransomware is meant to attack mobile devices that run on the Android operating system. Generally, ransomware infects phones via software or files that are downloaded automatically when visiting certain webpages. Furthermore, the malware spreads via fake popular apps that are downloaded as anti-virus software.
Read more: The Importance of Using Zero Trust Data Management to Protect Your Data and Applications
How to Prevent Ransomware Attack?
Despite the fact that ransomware is a real danger to businesses, it is undeniable that companies and government organizations are still unaware of the need for security protection. According to Purplesec, over half of 582 IT professionals are unsure if their organization is ready to tackle a ransomware attack. So, if ransomware has already infected the web or your device, how can you deal with it effectively?
Ignore the Hacker's Orders
The first thing to remember is that you should never pay a cent of the ransom requested by hackers. The reason for this is because this strategy will only make hackers pleased, encouraging them to carry out similar operations against those victims even more aggressively. Besides being economically devastating, paying the ransom does not ensure that hackers would unlock your files and recover your data. In fact, a decryptor may be used to retrieve encrypted files.
Clean with the Most Recent Antivirus
Remove any active infection threats from the ransomware-infected device using an antivirus. Make sure you have the most recent version of a legal antivirus with anti-ransomware features. Although this technique does not totally recover the files that were taken, it does stop the virus from attacking again.
Download Ransomware Decryptor App
Using a decryptor application, try to restore the encrypted files after ensuring that no ransomware is active. This app will decrypt the encryption password, letting you access powerfully decrypt your data and files. A decryptor is now included in antivirus software. Keep in mind that different decryptors can only unlock certain types of ransomwares. You can visit the No More Ransom project website to discover the type of ransomware and decryptor that can be used.
Report Cases of Attacks to Anti-Ransomware Organizations
Report the type of ransomware that has infected your device and data to the No More Ransom project site immediately. Submit any virus-infected or harmful files you receive to help IT security experts in the investigation for exact result.
5 Tips to Avoid Ransomware Virus
Even if you know how to deal with ransomware, it's essential for businesses and government agencies to know how to prevent it. Here are five methods to protect your business and agency security from ransomware.
Backup Your Data Regularly
Backup your data on a regular basis, both on your hard disk and in the cloud. Check to see if your hosting provider offers periodic and automatic backups for the website. You can also restore the data that has been backed up by simply clicking the restore file button. Even if an automated backup feature is available, you still should install a backup plugin as a protection.
Regular App and Web Update
The most recent versions of the program and the web include the most up-to-date features as well as website security updates. Hackers can exploit security holes in systems and features that have not been updated. You can use a plugin with an automated update option to avoid having to deal with manual updates.
Avoid Clicking on Any Web and Email
Ransomware is frequently distributed over the internet, and e-mails often include infections originating from your online activities. Hackers will enter traps containing viruses contained in files or apps that are devices via spam emails via links or attachments. Ensure you don't open nor click on emails from people who don't know. The ransomware infects your device automatically when emails and attachments are downloaded.
Secure Hosting is Included
To protect your website from malware, hackers, and other dangerous viruses, choose secure hosting with additional security such as SSL and plugins.
Using Software and Systems for Security
When faced with an attack, install authorized software and antivirus with anti-ransomware features to detect, fight off, and remove malware. Anti-ransomware software will scan files uploaded to websites for viruses to ensure there is no malware. When it comes to websites, SSL and security plugins may be used to stop different security threats and assure that exchanging data online is virus-free.
Read more: Here's Why Implementing Endpoint Security in Your Business is Important
Detect and Prevent Ransomware Attack with Dell & Trend Micro Solutions
To deal with and prevent ransomware attacks, stay calm and never pay ransom. There's still a chance that ransomware-infected data can be decrypted and use a free decryptor. Report any ransomware incidents to No More Ransom for further investigation.
To avoid ransomware, please remember that you should immediately improve the security of your website and device by using software and security features. With Dell and Micro Trend's website and device security protection solutions, it's time to optimize the protection and isolation of sensitive data from ransomware and other sophisticated attacks.
Ransomware and other advanced attacks will be prevented and isolated with Dell PowerProtect Cyber Recovery. Dell Machine Learning will detect suspicious activity and help you recover data so you can continue running your business.
PowerProtect Cyber Recovery will work in three ways. From isolating data in operational air gaps to monitoring data integrity with CyberSense analytics and machine learning, to accelerating data recovery from cyber-attacks and ransomware, CyberSense gets you prepared.
Trend Micro, in addition to Dell, provides solutions for detecting and securing the entire chain of ransomware attacks in order to minimize risk. Trend Micro Vision One uses XDR analytics to offer actionable alerts based on collected activity data. To optimize XDR's detection capabilities, the Trend Micro Smart Protection Network, along with detection rules and models, is constantly updated.
According to ESG, companies who used XDR have seen a 65 percent lower in attack times, a 50 % decrease in successful attacks, and cost savings of the equivalent of eight IT staff. Trend Micro Vision One's capacity to seek, discover, investigate, and respond to threats more rapidly received the top score in the XDR evaluation category from Forrester.
Get Ransomware Solutions from Virtus
It's time for your organization to implement sufficient protection against ransomware attacks, which typically combine several advanced techniques. With solutions from Virtus Technology Indonesia (VTI), you can add further security that can monitor and secure any gaps against ransomware attacks.
Virtus, as a Dell and Trend Micro certified partner, will assist you through the entire process of preventing ransomware attacks, from consultation to after-sales support. Virtus assures that you avoid the trial-and-error process when implementing the right solution to detect any suspicious activity on your online and work devices because it is backed by a reliable and certified team.
Writer: Ervina Anggraini
Content Writer CTI Group
