How Ransomware Can Be Used to Commit Cyberattacks
Robert Custer, the executive director of Symantec, talked about how cyberattacks can be used as a tool for ransom payments. The article was prepared for SecurityWeek. com by John Gattig and Tim Follis.
Ransomware is a malicious software that has the ability to permanently overwrite files on a user’s computer using encryption or, sometimes, a malware backdoor. The attacker who commits a ransom demand is demanding not merely payment or exchange of a physical device, but the victim’s personal data, intellectual property, and access to banking accounts. Ransomware infects a computer by manipulating the operating system to create an encrypted file on the internal storage device. Ransomware encrypts its victim data, demanding payment for access to the data or for decryption. The ransom demands are usually generated using the victim’s credit card number. The attackers usually make the demands through emails, text messages or online services. Cybercriminals use the malware to collect information that may include account passwords, credit card numbers or other personal information. The hackers may have to make a large number of demands in order to obtain a full and complete copy of the victim’s data. The ransom demands may also be accompanied by threats to destroy the victim’s computer or other data. The perpetrators have a higher likelihood to make large amounts of ransom demands if it’s their first time and they know what they’re doing. The attackers typically use the ransom demands to collect personal information such as email addresses, social media accounts, financial information, and payment information. Ransomware can be used for fraud. Using ransom demands to collect personal information may allow criminals to steal sensitive data that may lead to identity theft and fraud, a new report by Symantec revealed. Ransomware can also be used to commit cyberattacks on companies and government agencies. Cybercriminals are not always aware of the ransom demands, so when they make a demand, they are likely to be unaware of the payment details. The hackers can also send payments through social media, emails, or text messages. The hackers may ask the victim to pay by providing the payment details, or pay by the terms.
Ransomware Managing : Case of Kaseya Attack
Computer security researchers have found multiple similarities between the Kaseya ransomware program and a specific case that took place over a decade ago.
Since the malware was discovered in 2007, thousands of Kaseya instances have been distributed and there have been no serious attacks reported against any organization.
But a group of security researchers have found similarities between the ransomware program and a specific case that took place over a decade ago.
Also known as “Ransomware Infection” or “Kaseya” or “Kaseya infection,” the malware program targets organizations such as banks, government agencies, and defense contractors.
“The similarities can be quite surprising, and we have even discovered that our own malware shares several design and behavior aspects with Kaseya,” said security researcher and malware author James Leventis.
The Kaseya infection itself is a sophisticated version of a Trojan horse, or ransomware, that was designed by attackers in the 1990s to be a threat to the operations of government and defense contractors. In 2016, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in the malware, fueled by the availability of free, low-complexity malware samples.
“This new ransomware is highly modular; it can be distributed as a. RAR file (without a. RAR extension), an. RUU file (a compressed file containing RAR and RUF extensions), or a. RUUX file (a compressed. RUU file) and there are multiple possible payloads and variants of the malware,” said Leventis.
The malware is designed to execute on a compromised system, either through the use of a bundled RAT driver or directly via an executable.
After a ransom amount is paid by the criminal organization, the malware system will begin downloading a new version and encrypting all the files associated with the infected machine.
“Once the new RansomWARE infection is installed, the computer is targeted for a ransom demand with no time limit,” said Leventis.
The researchers noticed several similarities in the ransomware program and the KASEYA virus.
One similarity, for example, is that both these malicious programs are not infected with a.
A Challenge for the Businesses’:
Computer security has emerged as an area of concern because of the increased threat that technology poses to personal information, and because of the use of computer networks in commerce, banking and financial activities. Computer systems are under assault from hackers who are seeking access to confidential data and personal information, as well as to other systems that can harm the system’s integrity and accuracy.
The issue is well recognized in the information technology industry and across professional circles.
For example, President Obama and many of the public commentators said, in an April 22 speech: “We need to stop the bad guys – who we think are trying to do us harm – from getting their hands on our most personal information. the most valuable of which is our very personal lives.
The statement prompted a heated debate, in which the president‘s detractors, including many in technology, were quick to point out that the security risk posed by computer security had not come close to the level of concern raised by the president’s announcement.
The fact that computer networks are now used in commerce, banking and financial activities, and that their use affects personal and other information, as well as trust in those systems, is a matter of serious concern.
The problem for the United States is that we cannot afford to continue to allow our institutions, businesses and government agencies to become victims, as a result of poor security practices, of a hacker stealing our personal information, compromising our nation’s financial security, and putting the nation on a course to becoming an economic and financial hot spot.
Identifying critical vendors for Supply Chain Attacks
A supply chain attack aims to manipulate the flow of products or materials in order to redirect a company’s business.
The fraudulent supplier will often use the same method to fool multiple companies into issuing a credit or issuing a supplier card for the buyer. The fraudulent supplier will sometimes even offer the client a discount. For example, if the fraudulent provider is offering a discount for a company’s internal use of a supplier card, the client may also be tricked into buying that product.
Suppliers or distributors are often tied together using a supplier credit card, so that if one of the parties fails to pay the supplier, the other party will immediately be affected.
Sybil attack is one of the worst type of supply chain attack. One way fraudulent providers often act is through multiple levels of vendors to avoid the risk of customer fraud. The issue is that when multiple providers are involved, there are often different payment structures for the payments. This will ultimately lead to payment failure.
Supply chain fraud is a key reason the supply chain is so successful. While this is extremely complex, once an organization receives an order, all of the processing is done at the lowest level. The fraud often occurs at each order level, such as processing the order manually through web form or sending invoices and bills all the way up to the company’s credit card processing.
Tips of the Day in Computer Security
From your to your computer: it’s all about the Internet, and all about the way your information lives. The recent cyber war has made for a volatile time, with various groups vying for the attention of the most vulnerable of your customers. One of the most common ways that cybercriminals try to gain access to your systems is by hacking into the way you store and manage your data.
To help keep your systems secure, here are several easy-to-use instructions you’ll find helpful. By following these steps, you can protect your systems from criminals who might try to access your data, and even detect an attempted break-in.
One of the more popular methods for data theft is using remote hackers to bypass access controls. Instead of the user looking up the settings for the website they are visiting, they can instead visit a website that contains a hidden tracking link. This is particularly dangerous if said company is a financial institution who has sensitive information about its clients.
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Spread the loveRobert Custer, the executive director of Symantec, talked about how cyberattacks can be used as a tool for ransom payments. The article was prepared for SecurityWeek. com by John Gattig and Tim Follis. Ransomware is a malicious software that has the ability to permanently overwrite files on a user’s computer using encryption or,…