Tag Archive for: ransomware attacks

Ransomware Risk Analysis – Ransomware Investigation – Ransomware Attack

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Ransomware

Investigation

Ransomware Gangs
May 9, 2022 “Ransomware gangs are “alarmingly similar” to legitimate organizations with their management structures and HR policies, and there is a clear logic to the way to target companies that they are certain would pay for the ransom to decrypt their data, a new report by Check Point Research” News-Link on Ransomware Gangs
Conti Cybercrime Gang
May 08, 2022. “The U.S. State Department has announced rewards of up to $10 million for any information leading to the identification of key individuals who are part of the infamous Conti cybercrime gang.”
>> News-Link on Conti cybercrime gang
College shuts Down after Ransomware Attack
May 09, 2022 “A university that originally opened its doors the same year that the American Civil War ended will shut down later this month. Lincoln College administrators have put the blame on a ransomware attack, which they say hindered admissions and fundraising activities during a period when the school was already struggling.”
>> News-Link: Ransomsware Closes College Permanently
Microsoft Fighting Ransomware
May 09, 2022 “The investment comes as organizations ramp up their security spending to manage the increased threats of ransomware attacks and network hacks.” >> News-Link on Microsoft launching cybersecurity services to help clients fight off ransomware and other attacks
Costa Rica national emergency after Conti ransomware
“Conti published most of the 672 GB dump that appears to contain data belonging to the Costa Rican government agencies” >> News-Link 1 >>on cyber attacks Conti ransomware group on multiple government bodies.
News-Link 2 >> on Costa Rica State of Emergency Under Sustained Conti Cyberattacks
Ransomware As a Service
“The cybercriminal economy is a continuously evolving connected ecosystem of many players with different techniques, goals, and skillsets. In the same way our traditional economy has shifted toward gig workers for efficiency, criminals are learning that there’s less work and less risk involved by renting or selling their tools for a portion of the profits than performing the attacks themselves. This industrialization of the cybercrime economy has made it easier for attackers to use ready-made penetration testing and other tools to perform their attacks.”

 

Growing Threat

The threat of ransomware has grown over the years. Millions of organizations and companies have been hacked. The costs amount globally to billions of USD and the number of future ransomware cases is projected to rise even more.

Ransomware attacks are now a very common type of tool used by attackers. Organized crime groups and criminal ransomware gangs will use targeted ransomware attacks which can cost organizations millions of dollars. Besides that, your data might still be appearing on the dark web in data breaches. Even when you have paid… Getting back on your feet will require many days, if not weeks or months to have your computers working again and regain full access to the servers and your data.

Ransomware is a type of malware that will:

black and gray laptop computer beside black and gray speaker

Is your company & customer data protected from ransomware?

  • ransomware attackers can threaten to publish the victim’s personal data online
  • ransomware can block access to your device until you pay the ransom fee
  • ransomware will extort the victim (extortion attack)
  • ransomware will publish your files on the dark web if you don’t pay or cooperate

Do you want to pay the ransom?

The tracking and prosecution of suspects can prove to be a challenge since cybercriminals use cryptocurrency to collect the ransom fee (difficult to trace) and other techniques remain anonymous.

The main types of ransomware are:

  • Encrypting ransomware
  • Non-encrypting ransomware
  • Data Exfiltration ransomware
  • Crypto ransomware or encryptors will encrypt your files and data. you need a decryption key to access your data.
  • Lockers will lock you out of your computer. Files & applications are not accessible. Ransom demand is requested via lock-screen with a countdown clock.
  • Scareware will claim false positives and requests money.
  • Doxware or leak-ware will threaten you to distribute your data online unless you pay
  • RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) is a complex malware system that uses anonymous command and control centers to distribute ransomware & collect the ransom payment.

Most ransomware infections are spread via phishing emails, or by attachments with fake invoices or other deceiving fake information. Be careful what you click on, be careful which attachment you open.

 

Lifecycle of a Ransomware incident

1. INITIAL ACCESS PHASE
attacker tries to gain access to your network
phishing
password guessing
obtain credentials
find internet exposed services
exploit vulnerabilities
send malicious emails
inject malicious documents
activate malware
2. CONSOLIDATION & PREPARATION
attacker attempts to gain access to all devices
command and control
lateral movement
privilege escalation
prepare for full penetration on target
3. IMPACT ON TARGET
attacker steals & encrypts data & demands ransom
data exfiltration
destruction of backups
encryption of data
demand ransom
collect ransom
delete all traces of operation
obfuscation & ghosting

Establish a good risk management strategy

Whatever type of cybersecurity measurements you have in place, no system is perfect and humans are not perfect. Neither are computer systems. Hence a good risk management strategy must start with a ransomware risk assessment.

This is where AR INTELL can assist you with a ransomware investigation.

Ransomware Inquiry

Cyber Security, Cyber Crime & Cyber Attack Investigations

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[ Cyber Security ] [ Cyber Crime Investigators ] [ Cyber Attack Types ] [ Cyber Crime Victim ]

 

Cyber Security Investigation Assessment

cyber security investigation into cyber crime and cyber attacks

CYBER SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS

Our cybercrime investigators will recover forensic evidence. from any digital device. We also consult many online resources, the dark web, and the deep web. This collective information is then preserved for later use and analysis.

 

What is Cyber Security?

The term Cyber Security is related to (or synonymous) computer security, or information technology security (IT security). Both types of security aim to protect computer systems and computer networks from information disclosure, theft of, or damage to computer hardware, networking devices, software, or electronic data. Regularly companies or organizations will suffer disruptions or misdirection of their services. The Cyber Security teams are tasked with the investigation, mitigation, and prevention of these cyber nuisances.

AR INTELL also can assist you in defending your computers, server architecture, mobile devices, diverse electronic systems, computer networks, and data from malicious cyber attacks.

There are many different security categories to look at:

  • Network security: protect your network from intruders, targeted attacks, or malware.
  • Application security: keep software and devices clean and uncompromised.
  • Information security: data protection.

Data Protection
Reform Data Protection Laws

  • Operational security: protection of data assets. User-level access. Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Disaster recovery & business continuity: your response to an incident. Disaster recovery policy.
  • End-user education: training the people, security practices.
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Consult our Cyber Security & Cyber Crime Specialists today

Cyber Kill Chain
Lockheed Martin, the Cyber Kill Chain® framework
Cyber Strategy
FBI’s cyber strategy
Cybersecurity Strategy
National Cybersecurity Strategy
Keep sensitive data private and secure
Data Security

Cyber Crime Investigators

Collection of evidence is key!

Cyber Crime investigators are thus assisting in the collection of crucial evidence. We assist you in helping to solve or understand specific cyber crimes and document what the cyber kill chain was, how all this happened and what you can do to prevent the same occurrences in the future. This is called cyber risk mitigation.

Is your security posture weak or strong?

Always check your cybersecurity posture and apply proper Security Risk Management practices. It’s not just your computers, smartphones, etc that you need to be checking but also the human element, the insider threat. Regular threat assessments are needed to develop actionable threat intelligence. Be aware of social engineering schemes also.

Cyber Attack Types

Are Cyber Criminals targeting you?

Be aware of different types of cyberattacks by cybercriminal groups, criminal hackers, APT Groups (Advanced Persistent Threats), organized crime operators, ransomware gangs, global adversaries, cyber terrorists, and other bad actors.

Growing damage due to cyber-attacks!

The threat from cybercriminals is not an imaginary one. The cybersecurity concern is growing daily. The threat of cyber attacks, data breaches, and ransomware attacks by ransomware gangs is a very issue.

 

We have made a non-exhaustive list of different types of cyberattacks here.

 

cyber attacks
cyber crimes
data breach
ransomware attack
IT security audit
hacker detection
threat intelligence
social engineering

 

Do not become a cybercrime victim. Try not to ignore the red flags.
Start your cyber risk assessment today.

victim of cyber crime

 

Cyber Security Investigation Assessment

How to Stop Ransomware Attacks

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Detection, prevention, and mitigation of a ransomware attack

AR INTELL can assist you in the detection, prevention, and mitigation of a ransomware attack on your company or organization.

Don’t become an easy target or victim of a ransomware gang. Launching ransomware attacks is a lucrative business for hackers and organized crime. It is a multi-billion-dollar industry. How do you know if you are being targeted?

What is Ransomware as a Service? “RAAS” consists of software-as-a-service attack vectors whereby criminals buy ransomware on the dark web. This software is used to conduct ransomware exploits.

cost of ransomware - report 2021 - ransomware investigations

The surge of Ransomware in 2021 Report – Ransomware 2022 Threat Report

Many articles and advice have been formulated on this matter. Here are a few general pointers to avoid becoming the victim of ransomware attacks.

  • use up to data anti-virus scanners
  • use VPN when going online
  • update and patch your devices
  • don’t use illegal or hacked software
  • don’t click on suspicious emails (phishing attacks)
  • run a firewall on your devices and in your network
  • don’t put your backups on the same network where the ransomware attack might occur
  •  prepare a full recovery plan – do a simulation
  • conduct security awareness training
  • establish a Zero trust architecture and micro-segmentation (data silos)
  • perform endpoint protection
  • talk to cybersecurity consultants
Consult us for your Free Ransomware Assessement