Number of Phishing Attacks Hits an All-Time High in 2021, Tripling That of Early 2020

Mar 23, 2022 2:00:34 PM By Stu Sjouwerman

New data from the Anti-Phishing Working Group shows cybercriminals are stepping on the gas, focusing phishing attacks on credential theft and response-based scams.

QakBot Banking Trojan Evolves and Now Takes Over Email Conversations to Spread Malware

Mar 23, 2022 2:00:06 PM By Stu Sjouwerman

As if stealing all your credentials, cookies, and email wasn’t bad enough, this new version of QakBot inserts itself into your emails, impersonating you to gain access to more victims.

[Heads Up] New Evil Ransomware Feature: Disk Wiper if You Don't Pay

Mar 17, 2022 8:43:59 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

There is a new ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) strain called LokiLocker, researchers at Blackberry warn. The malware uses rare code obfuscation and includes a file wiper component that ...

Ransomware-Related Data Leaks Increase 82% as the Number of Cybercriminal Groups Nearly Triples

Mar 16, 2022 10:27:52 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

New insight into the state of the attacks and threats paints a picture where the cybercriminals are growing in number, sophistication and successes, while victims just sit back seemingly ...

Backups Become the Focus as Three-Fourths of Organizations Experienced Ransomware Attacks

Mar 16, 2022 10:25:21 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

New data puts the spotlight on how most organizations unable to completely recover their data after a ransomware attack, making the case for better data protection for improved incident ...

[Eye Opener] Ukraine Is Now Being Hit With 4 Different Strains Of Wiper Malware

Mar 15, 2022 4:10:10 PM By Stu Sjouwerman

Newly discovered data-destroying malware was found this week in attacks targeting Ukrainian organizations and deleting data across systems on compromised networks. "This new malware ...

Up and To the Right: Ransomware Attacks Grow by 105% in 2021

Mar 9, 2022 10:58:35 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

New data from Sonicwall shows the numbers of nearly every type of attack growing in 2021, with concerns by organizations about attacks and their aftermath at an all-time high.

83% of all Successful Ransomware Attacks Featured Double and Triple Extortion

Mar 9, 2022 10:58:22 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

With 2021 being the “testing ground” for ransomware extortion, 2022 is showing signs of ransomware gangs settling in on proven extortion tactics to ensure payment.

FBI: Ransomware gang breached 52 US critical infrastructure orgs

Mar 8, 2022 8:02:39 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says the Ragnar Locker ransomware gang has breached the networks of at least 52 organizations from multiple US critical infrastructure sectors.

CISA: 2021 Cyberattack Trends Indicate Increases in Global Ransomware Attacks

Mar 4, 2022 8:34:08 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

New advisory sees critical infrastructure once again in the crosshairs and makes critical recommendations to both protect against ransomware and to reduce its’ impact.

New QBot Attack Only Takes 30 Minutes to Elevate Privileges and Steal Data

Feb 22, 2022 9:01:50 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

This banking trojan-turned-information-stealer has been around for nearly 15 years. But its latest iteration – seen even in the past few weeks – has stepped up in its’ ability to act ...

Conti Ransomware Attacks Reap in $180 Million in 2021 as Average Ransomware Payments Rise by 34%

Feb 17, 2022 10:08:55 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

New analysis of ransomware attacks shows growth in the number of active strains, ransoms collected, and use of third-party services all adding up to a more organized and profitable ...

Updated Ransomware Hostage Rescue Manual

Feb 9, 2022 10:00:56 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

Ransomware is one of the most damaging types of cyber attacks of all time, and the one feared the most by business owners and cybersecurity defenders. This worry is not without reason. In ...

Average Ransomware Ransoms Jump 130% While Use of Data Exfiltration Grows

Feb 8, 2022 6:25:24 PM By Stu Sjouwerman

With pressures by law enforcement on ransomware gangs in 2021, and more stringent security requirements by cyber insurers, cybercriminals are changing their tactics to ensure a payoff.

The Evolution and Future of Ransomware

Feb 8, 2022 1:04:46 PM By Javvad Malik

The history of ransomware spans over 30 years. The first specimen, known as the AIDS Trojan, was delivered via physical media using the postal system, and, upon its discovery, was quickly ...

U.K. Snack Manufacturer Expects Months of Delays After Ransomware Attack

Feb 3, 2022 3:15:47 PM By Stu Sjouwerman

Orders of top-selling snack brands from KP Snacks are on hold in the aftermath of a Conti ransomware attack that includes data theft of confidential information.

1 in 7 Ransomware Extortion Leaks Include Sensitive Operational Technology Details

Feb 2, 2022 3:51:37 PM By Stu Sjouwerman

New analysis of published data from ransomware attacks puts the spotlight on the potential that some of your most critical data stolen puts you materially at risk of another attack.

Ransomware Operators Try to Recruit Insiders

Jan 26, 2022 8:37:30 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

Sixty-five percent of organizations report that their employees have been contacted by ransomware attackers in an attempt to recruit insider threats, according to researchers at Pulse and ...

FBI: US Defense Industry Organizations Targeted with USB-Based Ransomware Attacks

Jan 21, 2022 8:24:40 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

Using mailed out “BadUSB” drives as the initial attack vector, cybercriminals are attempting to infiltrate sensitive networks and infect them with BlackMatter or REvil ransomware strains.

Ransomware Attacks are Growing in Number, But Not in Sophistication

Jan 20, 2022 9:26:01 AM By Stu Sjouwerman

As organizations work to protect against the relentless series of ransomware attacks that have plagued businesses large and small, the methods of attack seem to be leveling out.

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