To pay or not to pay? Negotiating in the age of ransomware

To pay or not to pay? Negotiating in the age of ransomware

In 2023, more than 2,200 networks across United States hospitals, schools and government organizations, as well as thousands of private businesses, were breached by cybercriminals. With another record-breaking year for ransomware and data extortion in the rearview mirror, organizations of all sizes are preparing for when they’ll need to make their big payout in 2024. But what if paying the ransom wasn’t the only way out?  There’s often room to negotiate with threat actors or,…

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Unveiling common ransomware attack methods to secure your organization

Unveiling common ransomware attack methods to secure your organization

With ransomware payments hitting a record $1.1 billion last year, it’s no wonder why it’s top of mind for most business leaders. Instead of wondering whether or not they’ll be hit with a ransomware attack, leaders need to be building a strategy for what to do when an attack is attempted on their business. The question isn’t “Will I get hit with ransomware?” it is “What will I do when it happens?” For years, the…

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How Can Businesses Defend Themselves Against Cyberthreats?

How Can Businesses Defend Themselves Against Cyberthreats?

Today, all businesses are at risk of cyberattack, and that risk is constantly growing. Digital transformations are resulting in more sensitive and valuable data being moved onto online systems capable of exploitation, thus increasing the profitability of a successful breach. Furthermore, launching a cyberattack is becoming more accessible. Exploit kits and malware-as-a-service offerings are getting cheaper, while open-source AI tools are making masquerading as a trusted executive and exploiting vulnerabilities easier. TechRepublic consolidated expert advice…

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Top 5 Global Cyber Security Trends of 2023, According to Google Report

Top 5 Global Cyber Security Trends of 2023, According to Google Report

It is taking less time for organisations to detect attackers in their environment, a report by Mandiant Consulting, a part of Google Cloud, has found. This suggests that companies are strengthening their security posture. The M-Trends 2024 report also highlighted that the top targeted industries of 2023 were financial services, business and professional services, tech, retail and hospitality, healthcare and government. This aligns with the fact that 52% of attackers were primarily motivated by financial…

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Verizon 2024 Data Breach Report shows the risk of the human element

Verizon 2024 Data Breach Report shows the risk of the human element

Verizon Business released its 17th-annual Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), highlighting the role that the human element plays in cyber threats. This report examined 30,458 security incidents as well as 10,626 verified breaches in 2023, representing a two-fold increase from 2022. Out of the breaches analyzed, more than two-thirds (68%) included a non-malicious human element — in other words, these incidents involved insider errors or people falling for social engineering schemes. This percentage remains consistent…

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Devices Infected With Data-Stealing Malware Increased by 7 Times Since 2020

Devices Infected With Data-Stealing Malware Increased by 7 Times Since 2020

The number of devices infected with data-stealing malware in 2023 was 9.8 million, a sevenfold increase over the same figure for 2020, according to new research from Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence. However, the researchers believe that the true figure could be as high as 16 million, as credentials from devices infected in 2023 may not be leaked onto the dark web until later this year (Figure A). Figure A: Number of infections of data-stealing malware…

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The cat and mouse ransomware game may threaten smaller organizations

The cat and mouse ransomware game may threaten smaller organizations

The practice of cybersecurity is ever-changing, marked by a continual dance between the attackers and the defenders. Each side is in a constant state of adaptation, reacting to the strategies of the other. The ongoing evolution of ransomware cybercrime is a prime illustration of this dynamic. Historically, ransomware attacks were somewhat isolated events. Today, they have morphed into coordinated global threats that target essential infrastructure, seeking substantial ransoms. The audacious attack on UnitedHealth by the…

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Stay a step ahead with the missing link in cybercrime defense: OSINT

Stay a step ahead with the missing link in cybercrime defense: OSINT

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) require a comprehensive set of tools, services and skilled people to succeed in the never-ending battle against cybercrime. They stand as the last line of defense to protect their organizations from losing data, money, reputation and, in extreme cases, the business itself. Adding OSINT-driven threat intelligence to the CISO toolkit can be a game-changer, delivering insights that enable a more proactive rather than reactive approach to cybercrime defenses. Whether launched…

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Sophos Study: 94% of Ransomware Victims Have Their Backups Targeted

Sophos Study: 94% of Ransomware Victims Have Their Backups Targeted

Organisations that have backed up their sensitive data may believe they are relatively safe from ransomware attacks; however, this is not the case based on findings from a new study from IT security company Sophos. The report showed that cybercriminals attempted to compromise the backups of 94% of companies hit by ransomware in the past year. Attackers are aware that those who fall victim to ransomware must choose to either pay the ransom or recover…

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Asia-Pacific Ransomware Threats Depend on Country and Sector, Says Rapid7

Asia-Pacific Ransomware Threats Depend on Country and Sector, Says Rapid7

Raj Samani, Chief Scientist. Image: Rapid7 New research from cyber security firm Rapid7 has shown the ransomware attacks that IT and security professionals are up against in APAC are far from uniform, and they would be better off tapping intelligence that sheds light on attack trends in their specific jurisdiction or sector. Raj Samani, chief scientist at Rapid7, said actual ransomware threats often differ from assumptions based on news coverage. Attack surface research revealed significant…

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