{"id":185464,"date":"2024-05-21T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/?p=185464"},"modified":"2024-05-17T15:42:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T14:42:35","slug":"all-about-ransomware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/all-about-ransomware","title":{"rendered":"Ransomware: What is it? How to protect yourself?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"185464\" class=\"elementor elementor-185464\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-010ca72 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"010ca72\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aeab3af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aeab3af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 02-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">In 2023, 49% of companies reported experiencing a cyberattack. After a brief period of decline in 2022, hackers have made a strong comeback, with ransomware becoming their weapon of choice. By immobilizing an organization's IT systems, hackers gain the perfect leverage to extort a ransom, highlighting the critical need for robust defensive measures.<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa08eff e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"aa08eff\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-905a579 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"905a579\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is a ransomware?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8551193 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8551193\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Definition<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-184df9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"184df9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 02-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ransomware is a specific kind of malicious software designed to <\/span><b>block access to a computer system until a ransom is paid<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Typically, victims are greeted with a message on their screen denying access to their data and files, which are effectively held hostage.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how does this process work? It begins with the simple act of opening an attachment, clicking on a <a href=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/zero-click-attack-how-does-it-work-how-can-you-protect-yourself\">malicious link in an email<\/a>, or visiting an infected URL. These vectors allow the hacker to breach the information system, where they can then <\/span><b>encrypt the data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, rendering it inaccessible. Access is only restored with a decryption key, which, unfortunately, is in the hacker&#8217;s possession. They don&#8217;t offer this key freely &#8211; it comes with a demand for a ransom, a demand that is made clear when a message appears on the screen outlining the ransom details.<\/span><\/p><p><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Good to know<\/span>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hackers often request ransom payments in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies because these are more difficult to trace, facilitating the cybercriminal&#8217;s escape.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d627027 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d627027\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 02-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-185470\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be1b5ad elementor-align-center button-principal elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"be1b5ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/data-courses\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Discover our courses<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3505b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c3505b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">A bit of history<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ea92fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ea92fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The development of ransomware has progressed hand-in-hand with the advancement of computer technology. Notably, the first ransomware emerged in 1989 with the &#8220;AIDS Trojan.&#8221; Victims had to send payments to Panama, a location chosen for its financial secrecy before the advent of digital currencies.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As these malevolent practices widened, the term &#8220;cryptoviral extortion&#8221; was coined as early as 1996.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through the years, <\/span><b>hackers have continually honed their creative abilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, enabling them to target organizations across all sectors and sizes: from private individuals to SMEs, hospitals, governmental bodies, and large tech corporations. No one is immune to ransomware.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5f69de e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"a5f69de\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c16088e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c16088e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are the different types of ransomware?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-682e986 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"682e986\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To successfully extort funds, hackers employ a wide range of ransomware tactics. The primary forms include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><b>Encryptors<\/b>: These encrypt the data on a computer, effectively locking access. A decryption key is required to regain entry.<\/li><li><b>Screen lockers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These prevent access to the computer by displaying a &#8220;locked&#8221; screen, making all major functionalities unusable.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e000bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e000bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These categories then branch out into various ransomware variants, with differing levels of notoriety, such as:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><b>WannaCry:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a ransomware that infected over 250,000 systems worldwide.<\/span><\/li><li><b>CryptoLocker:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> among the first to demand ransom in cryptocurrency, this malware targeted victims through FedEx and UPS tracking notification emails. Opening the attachment granted hackers unrestricted access to <a href=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/dlp-data-loss-prevention-principles-and-implementation\">encrypt the hard drive<\/a> and any connected network drives. It amassed over 27 million dollars in total.<\/span><\/li><li><b>NotPetya:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> this variant targets and encrypts the master boot record of Windows-based systems, causing irreparable system damage.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b7e501 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b7e501\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"641\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-185474\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-2.jpg 641w, https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-2-300x234.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 641px) 100vw, 641px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48b4420 elementor-align-center button-principal elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"48b4420\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/data-courses\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Find a course <\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-00a7ed1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"00a7ed1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7073e0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7073e0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to protect against ransomware?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-819e3bc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"819e3bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The success of ransomware among cybercriminals is partly due to their exploitation of security loopholes. It is essential for organizations to mitigate vulnerabilities. Key preventive measures include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><b>Educating users<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Given that human error is often the root cause of security breaches, educating all team members on risks and best practices is essential. For instance, enforcing complex passwords, frequent password changes, and ensuring computers are turned off when not in use are good practices.<\/span><\/li><li><b>System and application updates:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Outdated software is more vulnerable to attacks. Keeping software up to date is crucial for reducing potential entry points.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Data backups<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Keeping backups not just locally but also in remote locations ensures data access if the primary system is compromised.<\/span><\/li><li><b>Email protection strategies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: With 81% of attacks initiated via email, strengthening email security is imperative. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.us-cert.gov\/ncas\/tips\/ST04-014\">Email security best practices<\/a> can help mitigate this risk.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a4322b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"8a4322b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-284b9a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"284b9a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to respond to a ransomware?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c83858f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c83858f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The repercussions of <\/span><b>ransomware<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for organizations can be severe, leading to data loss, operational disruptions, reputational damage, and financial setbacks. The instinct may be strong to pay the ransom to recover access to systems.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a grave mistake.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On one hand, acquiescing to the demands of hackers only fuels their <\/span><b>criminal activities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as profitability encourages them to continue their exploits. Furthermore, funding these cybercriminals gives them more resources to grow their operations, discover new breach methods, and target more substantial infrastructure. In essence, <\/span><b>paying the ransom indirectly supports the malicious hacking ecosystem<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, paying the ransom offers no guarantee of regaining access to computer files. Some hackers have motives beyond monetary gain, seeking instead to inflict operational damage or tarnish an organization\u2019s reputation.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ef89b1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con\" data-id=\"9ef89b1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;content_width&quot;:&quot;boxed&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d71c53e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d71c53e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to become a cybersecurity expert<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf7142d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bf7142d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-185475\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-3.jpg 750w, https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/files\/2024\/05\/ransomware_datascientest-3-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5b9305 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c5b9305\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the face of ransomware, now a <\/span><b>plague to all organizations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> regardless of size or sector, the need for robust defenses has never been greater. Becoming a cybersecurity expert might be your calling. And for that, education is key. At <\/span><b>DataScientest<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we provide comprehensive IT security training to help you anticipate risks and take effective action in the event of a ransomware attack. Cybersecurity tips from experts can also guide your path to becoming a cybersecurity expert.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3d9bb4 elementor-align-center button-principal elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f3d9bb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/datascientest.com\/en\/data-courses\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Follow a Bootcamp<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6001aba elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"6001aba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n  \"mainEntity\": [{\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What is a ransomware?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"Ransomware is a specific kind of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a ransom is paid. Typically, victims are greeted with a message on their screen denying access to their data and files, which are effectively held hostage.\"\r\n    }\r\n  },{\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"How does it work?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"It begins with the simple act of opening an attachment, clicking on a malicious link in an email, or visiting an infected URL. These vectors allow the hacker to breach the information system, where they can then encrypt the data, rendering it inaccessible. Access is only restored with a decryption key, which, unfortunately, is in the hacker's possession.\"\r\n    }\r\n  },{\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"What are the different types of ransomware?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"To successfully extort funds, hackers employ a wide range of ransomware tactics. The primary forms include: \\n - Encryptors \\n - Screen lockers\"\r\n\r\n    }\r\n  },{\r\n    \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n    \"name\": \"Why become a cybersecurity expert?\",\r\n    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n      \"text\": \"In the face of ransomware, now a plague to all organizations regardless of size or sector, the need for robust defenses has never been greater. Becoming a cybersecurity expert might be your calling. And for that, education is key.\"\r\n    }\r\n  }]\r\n}\r\n<\/script>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In 2023, 49% of companies reported experiencing a cyberattack. After a brief period of decline in 2022, hackers have made a strong comeback, with ransomware becoming their weapon of choice. By immobilizing an organization&#8217;s IT systems, hackers gain the perfect leverage to extort a ransom, highlighting the critical need for robust defensive measures. What is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":185466,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[2426],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.7 (Yoast SEO v21.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Ransomware: What is it? How to protect yourself?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"49% of companies experienced a cyberattack in 2023. After a certain lull in 2022, hackers are back in force. Their weapon of choice? Ransomware. By blocking organizations&#039; computer systems, they have the leverage to demand a ransom. 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