The Rise of Ransomware (+ 5 Ways To Stay Protected)

Ransomware is a type of malware designed to block access to a computer system or its data until a sum of money, or a ransom, is paid. It has become one of the biggest cybersecurity threats in recent years, with rising ransomware attacks targeting businesses and individuals alike.

It’s important to take preventative measures and report malicious activities online. You can always report frauds and scams at FraudTrac. However, it’s also important to understand the dangers of such attacks and what measures you can take to protect yourself.

Rising Ransomware Attacks

According to recent statistics, the rising ransomware attacks are one of the biggest cybersecurity threats. In 2021, there was a 92.7% increase in the number of ransomware attacks compared to the same period in 2020. The increasing sophistication of cybercriminals and the ease of access to ransomware tools on the dark web has driven this surge in attacks.

One of the reasons why ransomware attacks are so prevalent is that they can be very lucrative for cybercriminals. In fact, the average ransom demand has risen from $5,000 in 2018 to $220,298 in 2021. Cybercriminals are also becoming more aggressive in their tactics, with some threatening to release sensitive data if the ransom is not paid.

Ways to Stay Protected

The best way to protect yourself from ransomware attacks is to take preventive measures. Here are some ways to stay protected:

1. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date

Ransomware attacks often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. Make sure to keep all of your software up-to-date with the latest security patches.

2. Use Strong Passwords

Cybercriminals can easily crack weak passwords. To avoid becoming the victim of rising ransomware attacks, use strong, complex passwords that are difficult to guess or a password manager to generate and store passwords.

1. Use Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software can help detect and prevent ransomware attacks. Make sure to install and regularly update your anti-virus software.

2. Backup Your Data

Regularly back up your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage to protect yourself from rising ransomware attacks. This will allow you to restore your data if it is encrypted or deleted by a ransomware attack.

3. Educate Yourself

Stay informed about the latest ransomware attacks and their tactics. Educate yourself and your employees about how to identify and prevent ransomware attacks.

Report Cyberattacks Online

Rising ransomware attacks pose a serious threat to businesses and individuals alike. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics, and the average ransom demand is increasing. To stay protected, taking preventive measures and reporting these scams online is important.

If you want to file complaints about cyber-attacks or report scams online, FraudTrac can help. Our platform has an online cyber-attack tracker where you can file and track your complaint.

Get in touch with us today to report malicious activities and cyber-attacks that should never be ignored!