Ransomware Definition: 6 Types of Variants, Attacks, and How to Prevent?

Ransomware Definition

Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents or restricts a user from accessing the system by locking the system screen or the user’s files until a ransom is paid. Modern ransomware families, collectively classified as crypto-ransomware, encrypt certain file types on infected systems and force users to pay a ransom using certain online payment methods to obtain the decryption key. We do.

Reason for the spread of ransomware

Users can encounter this threat in different ways. It can be downloaded onto a system when a user unknowingly visits a malicious or compromised website. It can also come as a payload dropped or downloaded by other malware. Some ransomware is distributed as spam email attachments, downloaded from malicious pages by malicious agents, or dropped onto vulnerable systems by exploit kits.

Once ransomware runs into your system, it may lock your computer screen or, in the case of crypto ransomware, encrypt certain files. In the first scenario, a full-screen image or notification appears on the screen of the infected system, rendering the victim unable to use the system. The notification also explains how users can pay the ransom. In the second scenario, ransomware blocks access to potentially important or valuable files, such as documents or spreadsheets.

Ransomware is considered “scareware” because it scares or intimidates users into paying a fee (or ransom). In this sense, it is similar to fake AV malware, but instead of capturing an infected system or encrypting files, fake AV displays fake anti-malware scan results to entice users to install fake anti-malware software. . Let me buy it.

Types of Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware has evolved significantly over the years. Important types of ransomware and related threats include:

• Double Extortion: It like Maze combines data encryption with data theft. This technology was developed in response to organizations refusing to pay ransom and instead restoring from backups. Cyber criminals can also steal an organization’s data and threaten to leak it if the victim does not pay a fee.
• Triple Extortion: It adds a third extortion technique to double extortion. This often involves demanding ransom from the victim’s customers or partners or launching a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against the company.
• Locker Ransomware: It is ransomware that does not encrypt files on the victim’s machine. Instead, it locks the computer and makes it unusable by the victim until the ransom is paid.
• Crypto Ransomware: It is another name for ransomware, which highlights the fact that ransomware payments are usually paid in cryptocurrencies. This is because cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that are more difficult to track because they are not controlled by traditional financial systems.
• Wiper: A wiper is a type of malware that is related to, but distinct from, ransomware. Similar encryption techniques may be used, but the goal is to permanently deny access to encrypted files, which may include deleting the only copy of the encryption key.
• Ransomware as a Service (RaaS): RaaS is a malware distribution model in which ransomware gangs provide “parties” with access to the malware. These associates infect the target with malware and split the ransom payment 50-50 with the ransomware developer.
• Data-stealing ransomware: Some ransomware variants skip data encryption altogether and focus on data theft. One reason for this is that encryption takes time and is easily detected, giving organizations the opportunity to eliminate infection and protect certain files from encryption.

6 Popular Ransomware Variants

There are dozens of types of ransomware, each with its own unique characteristics. However, some ransomware groups are more prolific and successful than others, making them stand out from the crowd.

1. Ryuk

Ryuk is an example of a highly targeted ransomware variant. It is commonly distributed through spear-phishing emails or by using compromised user credentials to log into enterprise systems using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Once a system is infected, Ryuk encrypts certain types of files (avoiding files essential to the operation of the computer) and demands a ransom.

Ryuk is known as one of the most expensive types of ransomware currently in existence. Ryuk demands an average ransom of more than $1 million. As a result, the cybercriminals behind Ryuk primarily target companies with the necessary resources to meet their demands.

2. Maze

Maze ransomware is notable for being the first ransomware variant to combine file encryption and data theft. Once the target started refusing to pay the ransom, Maze started collecting sensitive data from the victim’s computer before encrypting it. If the ransom demand is not met, this data will be made public or sold to the highest bidder. The possibility of costly data breaches was used as an additional incentive for payment.

The group behind the Maze ransomware has officially shut down. However, this does not mean that the threat of ransomware has reduced. Some Maze affiliates have begun using Egregor ransomware, and the Egregor, Maze, and Sekhmet variants are believed to have a common origin.

3. Revil (Sodinokibi)

REvil Group (also known as Sodinokibi) is another ransomware variant that targets large organizations.

REvil is one of the most well-known ransomware families on the Internet. This ransomware group has been operated by the Russian-speaking REvil group since 2019 and is responsible for several large-scale breaches, including Kaseya and JBS.

For the past few years it has been competing with Ryuk for the title of most expensive ransomware variant. It is believed that REvil demanded a ransom of $800,000.

REvil started as a version of traditional ransomware but has evolved over time.

They use dual extortion techniques and steal data from businesses while encrypting files. This means that the attacker can not only demand a ransom to decrypt your data, but also threaten to release the stolen data unless a second payment is made.

4. Rockbit

Rockbit is a data-encrypting malware active since September 2019 and more recently Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). This ransomware was developed to quickly encrypt large organizations as a way to prevent early detection by security tools and IT/SOC teams.

5. Dear Crying

In March 2021, Microsoft released patches for four vulnerabilities within Microsoft Exchange Server. Dear Cry is a new ransomware variant designed to exploit four recently disclosed vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange.

Dear Cry ransomware encrypts certain types of files. Once encryption is complete, Dear Cry displays a ransom message instructing the user to send an email to the ransomware operator to learn how to decrypt the files.

6. Lapsus$

Lapsus$ is a South American ransomware gang that has been involved in cyberattacks against several high-profile targets. This cyber gang is known for extortion, threatening to release sensitive information if the victim demands it. The group claims to have infiltrated Nvidia, Samsung, Ubisoft and others. The group uses stolen source code to make malware files appear trustworthy.

How to Protect Against Ransomware

Utilize Best Practices

Proper preparation can significantly reduce the cost and impact of ransomware attacks. The following best practices can help reduce your organization’s risk of ransomware and minimize its impact.

1. Cyber awareness training and education: It is often spread using phishing emails. It is important to train users on how to identify and avoid potential ransomware attacks. User education is considered one of the most important defenses, as many of today’s cyberattacks begin with targeted emails that do not even contain malware but are simply social engineering messages that trick users into clicking malicious links. Are designed to deliver. This often happens. Organizations can be expanded.
2. Continuous data backup: By definition, ransomware is malware designed such that paying a ransom is the only way to restore access to encrypted data. Automated and protected data backups allow organizations to minimize data loss and recover from attacks without paying ransom. Maintaining regular backups of your data as a daily process is a very important habit to prevent data loss and ensure that you can recover your data in the event of corruption or disk hardware failure. Functional backups also help organizations recover from ransomware attacks.
3. Patching: Patching can reduce ransomware attacks, as cybercriminals look for the latest undiscovered exploits in available patches and often target unpatched systems. It is an important component in defence. Therefore, it is important for organizations to ensure that all systems have the latest patches. This reduces the number of potential vulnerabilities in your business that attackers can exploit.
4. User Authentication: Using stolen user credentials to access services like RDP is a favorite tactic of ransomware attackers. Strong user authentication makes it difficult for attackers to take advantage of guessed or stolen passwords.

Reduce attack surface

The potential cost of a ransomware infection is high, so prevention is the best ransomware mitigation strategy. This can be achieved by reducing the attack surface by addressing the following:

1. Phishing message
2. Unpatched vulnerabilities
3. Remote Access Solution
4. Mobile Malware

Deploying anti-ransomware solutions

Encrypting all of a user’s files means that when the ransomware runs on the system, it has a unique fingerprint. Anti-ransomware solutions have been created to identify these fingerprints. Common characteristics of good anti-ransomware solutions are:

• Wide range of detection
• Fast detection
• Automatically returns to its place
• Recovery mechanisms that are not based on common built-in tools (such as “shadow copies” that are targeted by some ransomware variants)

How do I remove ransomware?

Ransom messages are something that no one wants to see on their computer, as it are a sign of a successful ransomware infection. At this point, several steps can be taken to respond to an active ransomware infection, and organizations must choose whether to pay the ransom.

How to reduce active ransomware infections

Many successful ransomware attacks are only detected after the data has been encrypted and the ransom note appears on the screen of the infected computer. At this point, the encrypted files may not be recoverable, but you should take some steps immediately.

1. Isolate your machine. Some ransomware variants attempt to spread across connected drives and other machines. Limit the spread of malware by removing access to other potential targets.
2. Keep your computer running. File encryption can make your computer unstable, and volatile memory may be lost when you turn off your computer. Keep your computer running for the best chance of recovery.
3. Make a backup: Files from some ransomware variants can be decrypted without paying the ransom. If a workaround becomes available in the future or decryption fails and the file becomes corrupted, make a copy of the encrypted file on removable media.
4. Check for a decryption tool: Contact the No More Ransom Project to see if a free decryption tool is available. If so, run it against a copy of your encrypted data to see if you can recover your files.
5. Ask for help. Your computer may keep backup copies of files stored on it. Digital forensics experts may be able to recover these copies if they have not been deleted by malware. 6. Wipe and restore: Restore your machine from a clean backup or operating system installation. This will come

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