Ransomware: Latest Trends and Tactics Used by Ransomware Attackers, Best Practices for Preventing Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware: Latest Trends and Tactics Used by Ransomware Attackers, Best Practices for Preventing Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware continues to rise as hackers try to extract money from businesses and governments worldwide. In 2022, there was almost a 30% increase in governments falling victim to ransomware.

Knowing the latest trerisknds and tactics used in these attacks will give you a better chance of protecting against them.

Latest Trends and Tactics Used by Ransomware Attackers

Hackers are refining their tactics, using past data to learn which ransomware attacks are most likely to be a success. A few of the trends and tactics we’re seeing as a company that offers cybersecurity in Miami include:

  1. Phishing remains one of the most effective tactics used in ransomware. Untrained employees assume that someone inside of the company is contacting them, and then they release vital information to the hacker that allows them to gain access to the system.
  2. Unpatched systems remain a major problem. With a portion of the workforce working remotely, it’s difficult for companies to enforce security measures and system updates.  Vulnerabilities in an employee’s system can lead to a successful ransomware attack.
  3. Endpoint targeting is on the rise, with hackers trying to find vulnerabilities in cloud endpoints to access data. Many of these attacks result in hackers using the systems to mine for cryptocurrency.
  4. Zero-day exploitation will always be a concern, and ransomware attacks often leverage these exploits before businesses can respond to the vulnerability.

Security best practices can help prevent or lower the risk of ransomware attacks impacting your business. 

Best Practices for Preventing Ransomware Attacks

Protecting your business from ransomware attacks takes a diligent approach to security. You'll want to incorporate all of these best practices to prevent an attack:

  • Ransomware relies on holding your data hostage. Be sure to back up your data routinely to ensure your organization can get back up and running quickly. 
  • Incorporate system update policies that ensure all systems are updated rapidly. Outdated systems are the main target for ransomware attacks. Policies and procedures that ensure rapid updates and security patching will help prevent a ransomware attack.
  • Install hardware and software firewalls and antivirus software. All of these solutions will act as lines of defense against an attack. Hackers often want to focus on easy targets. Adding multiple layers of security will reduce your risk of an attack being a success and may stop many attacks from occurring in the first place.
  • Network segmentation should be followed, allowing you to limit the extent of any one attack so that it’s less costly and severe.
  • Train employees to monitor their emails and look out for phishing emails. You'll also want to install email virus scanners and programs to monitor the links sent in an email and prevent untrained employees from clicking on them.
  • Limit user access privileges to ensure that if an employee’s information is divulged to a hacker, they cannot gain access to sensitive data that can then be held hostage.
  • Run routine security tests on systems so that you can identify and patch security holes.
  • Encrypt all of your data to make it less valuable to the hacker.

If you need help with a ransomware attack, contact our cybersecurity company in Miami immediately.