Ransomware Attack Simulation

Ransomware is one of the most devastating forms of cyber attack in existence. It’s an umbrella term used to describe a type of malicious software, or malware, that locks the victim out of their files or systems until a ransom is paid.

Hackers will hold the data hostage via encryption until the victims pay up and threaten to destroy it permanently until they get what they want. Typically, payments are made through untraceable platforms like cryptocurrency.

Ransomware attacks are increasingly commercialized and easy to execute, you can even purchase a ransomware kit from the dark web, find a third party to do the dirty work for you and hire Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) providers.

To find out more, read our ransomware guide.

So, what does ransomware do to a system? Ransomware attackers tend to follow a similar methodology known as a kill chain. The steps in the kill chain are to: gain access, escalate privileges, target data, remove recovery capabilities, deploy ransomware, encrypt data, and hold the keys to decryption until the ransom has been paid.

Unfortunately, the creativity of cybercriminals runs wild, so there are plenty of different types of ransomware attacks to look out for. Here are just a few common ransomware examples:

• Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) – A ransomware attack company offers criminals the opportunity to purchase RaaS. This business model distributes malware and provides a low-barrier entry to cybercriminals looking to profit from these kinds of attacks.
• Social Engineering – The most common ransomware attacks involve some form of social engineering. Hackers manipulate users into performing actions that will be detrimental to their security, via tactics like phishing emails or drive-by downloads. User education, effective access control policies and procedures, and endpoint anti-malware software are all viable anti-ransomware solutions that can reduce this risk.
• Logins without multi-factor authentication (MFA) – An effortless and effective ransomware solution that deters hackers from accessing your login credentials is enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA). By requiring additional login proof, such as a verification code or fingerprint, an extra layer of security is created. Without this additional safeguard, attackers may easily gain access to targeted systems or networks.

Each step in the ransomware kill chain is an opportunity for defenders to put a stop to the attack and begin the ransomware recovery plan. Recovery is highly dependent on the severity of the advanced ransomware attack, and typically requires the restoration of data from ‘clean’ backups.

Early detection and prevention are key factors when trying to foster a rapid ransomware attack recovery. If the ransomware is detected during the earlier stages of the kill chain, the chances of successfully performing ransomware removal and restoring affected data are much higher.

No, ransomware is not a virus in the traditional sense because it is not normally a self-replicating piece of code that infects a system. Instead, ransomware is typically downloaded via social engineering tactics like phishing emails or malicious downloads.

Rather than a ransomware virus, this common form of cyber attack is known as malware. If you want to know how to protect against ransomware attacks, it’s advised that you learn how to identify potential threats, ensure you have a comprehensive and regularly tested disaster recovery regime in place, and install security measures like anti-ransomware software.

Learning how to prevent ransomware attack incidents has become a top priority for organizations in recent years. When hackers see the tremendous growth and success organizations have, they want to take a piece for themselves. 

The most effective ransomware protection solutions begin with prevention, so here are some key considerations to take on board: 

• Create an asset checklist and reduce the attack surface of internet-facing systems, apps and cloud-based infrastructure. Instead, bring it into your virtual private network. 
• Enable MFA and keep an inventory of all management interfaces that utilise it. 
• Test your ransomware attack data recovery and security controls regularly. 
• Segment and isolate all sensitive systems, applications, and/or data to improve ransomware readiness. 
• Protect backup systems to avoid a ransomware hacker from infecting them. 
• Test your ability to restore backups and create a ransomware response plan. 

Successful ransomware detection is critical if you aim to prevent the loss of sensitive data. Implementing measures like intrusion detection systems and anti-ransomware protection services can avoid potential breaches from occurring. Similarly, providing employees with sufficient ransomware mitigation training and teaching them how to detect attacks is imperative.

If you have fallen victim to a ransomware attack, take immediate action. First, isolate the affected system, disable or update any affected user credentials and assess the damage. Alert the relevant personnel and use a coordinated ransomware response. Speak to a professional to devise the most appropriate ​​plan of action and enact ransomware solutions.

Try to contain the attack by disabling remote access and changing user login credentials. Avoid paying the ransom as this can encourage future attacks on your organization. However, there are ransomware negotiation services that you can use if payment is found to be the only way to recover your affected systems and data..

Restore the lost information and begin your ransomware data recovery procedure. Investigate the root cause of the issue and report the incident to the relevant authorities, especially if you see any evidence of secondary data exfiltration. Finally, evaluate your anti-ransomware protection protocol and implement new safety protocols to mitigate the risk of future attacks. For optimal results, consider hiring an incident response team that specializes in ransomware recovery services.