---
title: "A Lawyer's Look at \"Big Game Phishing\""
description: "A Lawyer's Look at \"Big Game Phishing\""
---

[KnowBe4 Blog ](https://blog.knowbe4.com)

# [A Lawyer's Look at "Big Game Phishing"](https://blog.knowbe4.com/a-lawyers-look-at-big-game-phishing)

 Written by [Stu Sjouwerman](https://blog.knowbe4.com/author/stu-sjouwerman) | Oct 17, 2019 10:50:18 AM

Ransomware attacks have increasingly been going after high-value data in order to extract larger ransoms from victims, according to the well-known law firm Cooley. This trend was highlighted by the FBI’s recent warning about high-impact ransomware events. These attacks can target any type of organization that would be crippled by losing access to important data.

Attackers usually gain access via a [phishing](https://www.knowbe4.com/phishing) attack or a network configuration vulnerability such as an exposed RDP port. Once they’re in, they can move throughout the network and identify critical data before launching the [ransomware](https://www.knowbe4.com/ransomware) attack.

Cooley says three of the most valuable targets for an attacker are “(i) high-value data or assets, such as trade secrets or personally identifiable information; (ii) critical timing issues or red-letter dates, such as tax-filing deadlines or the start of a new school year; and (iii) data backups.”

Additionally, Cooley points out that the [costs associated](https://blog.knowbe4.com/infographic-cost-of-ransomware-related-downtime-increased-more-than-200-percent-an-amount-23-times-greater-than-the-ransom-request) with a ransomware attack include “not only paying the ransom demand but also expenses associated with lost business, time, files, equipment; wages; third-party remediation services; or higher insurance premiums.”

For large companies, ransomware attacks can be extremely costly, and for smaller organizations, one of these attacks could be a business killer. Organizations need to invest in countermeasures to prevent attackers from getting in. New-school [security awareness training](https://www.knowbe4.com/products/kevin-mitnick-security-awareness-training/) can address the human element and prevent your employees from falling for phishing attacks. Cooley has the story: [https://cdp.cooley.com/big-game-phishing/](https://cdp.cooley.com/big-game-phishing/)

 

[View full post](https://blog.knowbe4.com/a-lawyers-look-at-big-game-phishing)

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