In the world of cybersecurity, we’ve all heard of Ransomware. However, what does it do? Why is it so dangerous? And what can we do about it? We can start by learning about the different types of malicious software, phishing emails, exploit kits, and network segmentation. By the end of this article, you’ll better understand Ransomware. Hopefully, these terms will help you avoid becoming a victim of this type of malware. Learn all about ransomware here.

Malicious software

Among the many types of malicious software, Ransomware is the most dangerous because it threatens to encrypt your files unless you pay it. It can also harm your computer’s performance. But what exactly is Ransomware? How can you protect yourself from Ransomware? This malicious software is difficult to remove, so be careful.

One of the first steps to protect your PC from Ransomware is to get a quality antivirus program. However, antivirus software is not enough – you also need to protect your computer from malware. Malicious software aims to encrypt your files and demand a ransom for their decryption. However, it would be best if you remembered that paying the ransom does not guarantee your recovery. Even if you manage to get your files back after paying the ransom, you will never know what you might have lost in the first place.

Phishing emails

Often containing malicious attachments and links, Ransomware is delivered via phishing emails. These emails are designed to trick the recipient into clicking on malicious extensions or visiting malicious websites, infecting the computer and preventing it from accessing its files. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to spot phishing emails, and there are several simple ways to protect yourself.

Ensure that your employees are adequately trained in identifying phishing emails and malware. The latest patches for all operating systems are vital, but you should also invest in additional protection. These measures can include email authentication and intrusion prevention software that you can set to update your computer automatically. In addition, it would be best if you also educated employees on common phishing scams and ways to become infected. Finally, if you find evidence of data theft, take the necessary steps to protect your company and report the incident to your local FBI office.

Exploit kits

A trendy exploit kit was called Sweet Orange in the early part of the decade. It targeted Windows 7 and 8.1, as well as web browsers. Its authors tried to keep the source code secret and limited to invite-only cybercrime communities, but despite this, they still managed to sell it to malicious actors. Exploit kits are a vital component of Ransomware, and the more sophisticated the exploit, the more effective it will be.

The exploit kit starts with a compromised website that diverts web traffic to a landing page containing code that profiles a victim’s system, looking for specific vulnerabilities. This allows the malware to run on the victim’s machine and extort money. The attack will cease if the device is patched. Once the malware has exploited the system, it uses a vulnerable application to make the Ransomware. Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, and Java Runtime Environment are Typical applications that are susceptible to exploitation. The exploit is sent to the user’s web browser as code within web traffic.

Network segmentation

The first step to a successful network segmentation strategy is properly segmenting your network. This segmentation should include similar systems that communicate frequently. It should also have high and low-security segments. Segmenting your network this way will make it easier to monitor and filter threats. But how do you do this in practice? First, let’s discuss some options. Next, we’ll discuss two approaches to network segmentation in Ransomware: high-security and low-security.

First, network segmentation limits the damage that a ransomware attack can do. For example, a phishing email sent from a malicious actor can be the launchpad for a ransomware attack. By limiting network access to the engineering network, the malware will not be able to spread throughout the entire organization. Another way to segment your network is by blocking potentially malicious traffic. Depending on the nature of the web, this may mean blocking specific TCP ports (like TCP 3389, used by PSEexec and WMI) from entering your business. With this method, you can limit the impact of Ransomware and minimize your recovery time.