How much would a government entity or business pay to restart its operations after an attack on its critical IT systems? $4 million? $11 million? Those behind recent ransomware attacks are trying to cash in big by holding our nation’s under-protected IT hostage. Show
Today’s WatchBlog post explores some of the big ransomware attacks against federal, state, and local governments and the private sector, and our recent work on cybersecurity and recommendations for improving protections against ransomware. What is ransomware and why should we worry? Ransomware is a type of malware used to deny access to IT systems or data, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. After the initial infection, the ransomware attempts to spread to shared storage drives and other accessible systems. If the ransomware perpetrators’ demands are not met, the system or encrypted data remains unavailable, data may be deleted, or the data could be released publicly. If ransom is paid, the perpetrators will typically provide the victim the information needed to regain access to the system or unencrypt the data. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), attacks using ransomware have at least doubled since 2017, and criminal groups are increasingly targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, which includes systems and assets supporting emergency services, telecommunications networks, and energy production and transmission facilities. Risks from attacks on these key systems and assets include national security, economic stability, and public health and safety. Ransomware attacks and indictments
What’s been done? The federal government has spread the word about the threat of ransomware and provided actionable guidance to organizations and individuals to mitigate this threat. For example, in recent months, DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency unveiled the Reduce the Risk of Ransomware campaign and published guidance on the rising ransomware threat in response to increases in ransomware attacks targeting operational technology assets and control systems. Earlier this month, DOJ issued a memorandum for all federal prosecutors with guidance for investigations and cases related to ransomware and digital extortion. What needs to be done? Ensuring the cybersecurity of our nation has been on our High Risk List since 1997, and in September 2020, we highlighted the need for the federal government to develop and execute a more comprehensive strategy for national cybersecurity and global cyberspace. Since 2010, we have issued over 3,300 recommendations that could improve the nation’s cybersecurity. As of December 2020, more than 750 of those recommendations were not yet implemented. We also have ongoing work related to ransomware, including examining how the federal government strategizes and builds allies to combat cybercrime, protects K-12 institutions’ cybersecurity, and provides assistance to state and local governments to promote their security efforts. Want to learn more about this issue and our recommendations to address it? Check out our High Risk List page on Ensuring the Cybersecurity of the Nation, which includes a list of recent reports, and recent podcasts with GAO cybersecurity experts.
Is a form of malware that hold your data captive?Mobile ransomware is malware that holds a victim's data hostage, afflicting mobile devices -- commonly smartphones. Mobile ransomware operates on the same premise as other types of ransomware, where an attacker blocks a user's access to the data on their device until they make a payment to the attacker.
Which type of malware holds your data hostage and asks for a ransom to release the data back to the victim?Ransomware is a type of malware (malicious software) used by cybercriminals. If a computer or network has been infected with ransomware, the ransomware blocksaccess to the system or encrypts its data. Cybercriminals demand ransom money from their victims in exchange for releasing the data.
Which of the following malware is designed to hold a computer system or data it contains captive until a payment is made?#Ransomware
This malware is designed to hold a computer system or the data it contains captive until a payment is made. Ransomware usually works by encrypting your data so that you can't access it. Some versions of ransomware can take advantage of specific system vulnerabilities to lock it down.
What are the 4 types of malware?What are the different types of Malware?. Worms. Worms are spread via software vulnerabilities or phishing attacks. ... . Viruses. Unlike worms, viruses need an already-infected active operating system or program to work. ... . Bots & Botnets. ... . Trojan Horses. ... . Ransomware. ... . Adware & Scams. ... . Spyware. ... . Spam & Phishing.. |