Can’t see the forest through the trees. Can’t tell the ransomware from the apps. Can’t contain the malware if you can only see parts of the network. Ransomware hackers have several different tools in their toolbelt to gain access to a computer and then a network. Common exploits include email phishing campaigns, remote desktop protocol (RDP) vulnerabilities, and software vulnerabilities.
Ransomware’s first documented attack was relatively rudimentary. It was delivered via floppy disk containing a malware program in 1989 that told its victims to pay $189 in ransom to a PO Box in Panama. Today ransomware criminals are significantly more sophisticated, thanks to advances in cyber methods and cryptocurrencies. Not all Ransomware is created equally. Like all malware, malicious codes vary in sophistication and modularity. As such, not all ransomware codes are made the same.
The 21st century has seen a dramatic increase in the number and sophistication of cybersecurity threats. Here are the 7 biggest threats that businesses and individuals need to be aware of.
Enterprises have benefited from encapsulating applications into lightweight, independent units called microservices. By adopting an architectural pattern of loosely coupled and independently deployed services, microservices can rapidly deliver complex applications at scale without the typical technical debt of legacy applications.
The year 2021 had the dubious distinction of being the most prolific for ransomware on record, and the onslaught didn’t stop in 2022. It’s now estimated that every 14 seconds, a business falls victim to a ransomware attack. Ransomware attacks aren’t just happening more often.
A new adversary simulation tool is steadily growing in the ranks of popularity among red teamers and most recently adversaries. Brute Ratel states on its website that it "is the most advanced Red Team & Adversary Simulation Software in the current C2 Market." Many of these products are marketed to assist blue teams in validating detection, prevention, and gaps of coverage.
RedLine is an infostealer malware discovered in 2020. Often sold in underground forums, it is capable of stealing data such as credit card numbers, passwords, VPN and FTP credentials, gaming accounts, and even data from crypto wallets. In May 2022, Netskope Threat Labs analyzed a RedLine stealer campaign that was using YouTube videos to spread, luring victims into downloading a fake bot to automatically buy Binance NFT Mystery Boxes.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), held every October, highlights a key theme each year. For 2022, the theme is: “See Yourself in Cyber.” Cybersecurity is more than a set of principles or tools—people are a major component, helping keep businesses safe by complying with multi-factor authentication, using strong passwords, keeping devices updated with the latest software, not installing unapproved software on devices, and reporting phishing.
