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Digital Extortion to Expand Beyond Ransomware
From DarkReading – Kelly Sheridan – January 30, 2018
In the future of digital extortion, ransomware isn’t the only weapon, and database files and servers won’t be the only targets.
When we think of digital extortion, we typically think of ransomware. But cybercriminals now are looking outside ransomware for new ways to shake down organizations.
Cybercriminals have learned that many businesses will pay if a ransomware attack cripples their day-to-day operations. Ransomware drove the spike in digital extortion in 2017 and remains cybercriminals’ weapon of choice, according to a new Trend Micro study “Digital Extortion: A Forward-Looking View.”
But threat actors are exploring new extortion tactics. “Some of the attacks we’ve seen highlight a shift in the model itself,” says Trend Micro chief cybersecurity officer Ed Cabrera. “As we expand our digital footprint, I think it creates an enormous opportunity for attackers to identify areas where they can have immediate impact.”
The criminal extortion framework has been around in the physical world for a long time, he continues. Now, in the digital world, it’s just getting started. Attackers are learning their chances of getting paid increase exponentially if they target certain files, systems, or databases. While ransomware will remain popular, but other types of threats are starting to appear, according to Trend Micro.
Extortion attacks and critical infrastructure
“Going forward, you would be remiss to just focus on files,” says Cabrera. Cybercriminals will begin to leverage the growth of IoT, specifically industrial IoT, to extort money from victims. Businesses that need to be up and running at all times are especially vulnerable
If you have questions on how to protect your mission critical systems, contact us.