18.01.2016, 16:06
Kaspersky Says Ransomware Doubled Last Year, Will Now Target the Enterprise - Cloud Security Resource
OREANDA-NEWS. Ransomware is a major blight on the technology scene, and it is something that is getting worse. Anti-virus company Kaspersky gave an interview revealing the host of issues in 2015 and what we can expect in the year ahead. The news isn’t good.
Malware escalation and a massive rise in CryptoLocker attacks were among the cybersecurity headlines for 2015, Kaspersky said in a year-end overview. In fact, the attacks have doubled in number from the previous year. The reason why these kinds of attacks are so prevalent is simple: money. Ransomware is extremely profitable.
If you’re not familiar with the concept, a computer becomes infected by a specialized piece of malware that will encrypt everything on a computer and not release it until a ransom is paid. There is a timer on many pieces of ransomware, after-which the data may be rendered inaccessible forever. Sometimes, the criminal groups return the decryption key; sometimes, they just don’t. Remember this is a criminal operation, so there is no counting on whomever is locking up the computer in the first place. In addition, many victims were targeted because of what industry they were in, such as financial, investment funds, and banks. Being locked out of critical files, many victims choose to pay which leads to big profits for the criminal groups. One team reported netted $2.5 million to $10 million per successful attack.
Kaspersky also reports that malware in general surged, with more than half of all PCs infected at one time or another in the corporate world. Another critical point in the interview: enterprise focus. Hackers are targeting specific companies and specific industries, and again, the impetus is largely financial. Attacks of all kinds are on the rise, and criminal groups are strategically selecting and studying their targets before launching their attacks.
As 2016 transpires, Kaspersky projects that we can likely expect even more activity on the criminal and enforcement sides of the equation. More activity means more attention is paid to the threat, and some law enforcement groups are getting more organized and more focused on stopping this kind of crime. It’s a literal game of cat and mouse.
Malware escalation and a massive rise in CryptoLocker attacks were among the cybersecurity headlines for 2015, Kaspersky said in a year-end overview. In fact, the attacks have doubled in number from the previous year. The reason why these kinds of attacks are so prevalent is simple: money. Ransomware is extremely profitable.
If you’re not familiar with the concept, a computer becomes infected by a specialized piece of malware that will encrypt everything on a computer and not release it until a ransom is paid. There is a timer on many pieces of ransomware, after-which the data may be rendered inaccessible forever. Sometimes, the criminal groups return the decryption key; sometimes, they just don’t. Remember this is a criminal operation, so there is no counting on whomever is locking up the computer in the first place. In addition, many victims were targeted because of what industry they were in, such as financial, investment funds, and banks. Being locked out of critical files, many victims choose to pay which leads to big profits for the criminal groups. One team reported netted $2.5 million to $10 million per successful attack.
Kaspersky also reports that malware in general surged, with more than half of all PCs infected at one time or another in the corporate world. Another critical point in the interview: enterprise focus. Hackers are targeting specific companies and specific industries, and again, the impetus is largely financial. Attacks of all kinds are on the rise, and criminal groups are strategically selecting and studying their targets before launching their attacks.
As 2016 transpires, Kaspersky projects that we can likely expect even more activity on the criminal and enforcement sides of the equation. More activity means more attention is paid to the threat, and some law enforcement groups are getting more organized and more focused on stopping this kind of crime. It’s a literal game of cat and mouse.
Комментарии