Researchers find tens of thousands of ransomware attacks in one week

Internet security firm iSheriff’s researchers last week identified more than 7,000 cyber crime incidents designed to install cryptographic ransomware variants on users’ devices.

The majority of the variants are based around TeslaCrypt ransomware, which employ similar features as the Carberp Trojan in that they hide code to evade detection, says the company’s researchers.

iSheriff senior product manager Mark Parker told SCMagazineUK that most of the infections start spreading through phishing emails. They target Windows systems that have been left unprotected.

Parker said that the hackers’ sophisticated timing of attacks seem to demonstrate a business savviness, as they are relying on a high number of users having money to spend during the festive period.

He said:

“The victims are generally busier this time of year, and due to end-of-year bonuses, the maturation of holiday savings bonds, and access to holiday savings accounts, users are more likely to have a little more cash on hand to pay the ransom.”

The researchers say that cryptographic malware has now earned over $60mn in revenue over just 12 months due to victims opting to pay criminals to resolve their issue.

Ransomware is just one form of cyber attack that is causing grievance for businesses today. There are other forms of attack, however, that cause just as much trouble. Firms need to man up to promote cyber security jobs in the places that attract highly trained personnel. That is ultimately the only way they will be able to defend themselves against all forms of cyber attack.