Business

6 Vicious Ransomware Threats that can be Dangerous for Businesses

19 July 2022

Malware threats are constantly evolving and are becoming more dangerous every passing day, making it more difficult to protect your data. One type of malware threat is ransomware, which has plagued and caused severe damage to businesses in recent times.
For those who don’t know, ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to block access to your computer data by encrypting it until you pay a ransom fee. In other words, hackers will have full access to your business information, while you’re completely locked out of your infected computer.
Speaking of these threats, there are several variations of ransomware out there and you need to be aware of them at all times.
In this article, the experts at Redpalm have put together a list of different types of ransomware threats that your business needs to avoid to keep your data protected.
Let’s get started!

1. Clop Ransomware

Clop is one of the latest and most dangerous ransomware, it encrypts your files until you pay money to the hackers. It’s a variant of the CryptoMix ransomware and is often known to target Windows users.
What’s more, Clop can block over 600 processes and disable several Windows 10 applications, like Windows Defender. This means you won’t have any opportunity to secure your data.
To find out more about this type of ransomware and how you can steer clear of it, give this blog a read.

2. Fake Windows Updates

Recently, there’s been an influx of business emails instructing you to install Windows OS updates urgently with an attachment. These emails are ransomware files in disguise and are made to trick you into installing them, instead of an actual OS update.
The ransomware in these emails is termed “Cyborg” and it can encrypt all of your files and programs without your knowledge.
Unfortunately, basic antivirus software can’t detect and block these types of phishing emails. Therefore, you need one with proper internet security to protect you from these attacks.
At Redpalm, our team of IT experts have the knowledge and experience to deal with such issues. Not only that, we can also help you to protect your data at all times and vigilantly monitor your IT infrastructure.
For more information about how we can help, get in touch with us today! 

3. Ransomware as a Service

Ransomware as a service or RaaS has gained popularity over the years in the hacking community. This is a type of service where people who don’t know how to execute proper ransomware attacks, hire hackers to attack other computers.
It’s a dangerous threat for businesses who have several rivals with bad intentions. 
Unfortunately, the RaaS industry is also growing rapidly, showing how easy it can be to infect businesses, despite the attackers having no previous knowledge.
In order to avoid being a victim of these types of ransomware attacks, it’s crucial that you team up with a professional IT company like Redpalm. Not only will our experts monitor your system, they will also offer solutions to improve the overall security of your business.
Contact our IT team today!

4. NotPetya

Many consider this ransomware software as one of the most dangerous malware attacks on the Internet. This is because it has a record of infecting the master boot record of a Windows-based system, leaving users with no way to access their account.
Moreover, it demands payment in Bitcoin to undo any damage done by them on your computer. However, it’s known to be a wiper and in many cases, you can’t make changes to the master boot record, making the system unrecoverable.

5. Bad Rabbit

Bad Rabbit is a virus that spreads as a result of downloading a fake Flash player update. The virus attacks the system with a drive and denies users from accessing any data until they pay money to the hackers. Only when the money is paid does it decrypt the data and give users back their business information. 
This ransomware shares similar code and exploits with NotPetya and when it was used, it mainly targeted media companies in Russia and Ukraine.

6.WannaCry

WannaCry was designed to exploit a security vulnerability in Windows OS and affected over 230,000 computers worldwide. What’s more, this ransomware attack affected businesses in 150 countries in 2017. This led to businesses collectively losing millions of pounds from data breaches.
One of the worst affected places by this ransomware attack was the NHS hospitals in the UK, causing damages worth 92 million pounds. The main reason behind this was because their computer systems weren’t updated regularly.
WannaCry only affected outdated systems, as the hacker exploited an operating system issue that was fixed way before these attacks took place. While being attacked by WannaCry, you can’t access your system until you pay the ransom in Bitcoin.

Contact Redpalm for Robust Cyber Security Solutions

Now that you’re aware of the different types of ransomware attacks that your business could face, it’s time to protect yourself by strengthening your existing security and IT infrastructure.
At Redpalm, our IT experts have several years of experience in assisting businesses with the best technical support and IT solutions. By choosing us, we ensure that your business is in safe hands.
We offer a wide range of solutions, including business continuity, cyber security, and disaster recovery, ensuring you’re protected from all kinds of threats.
To find out more about our IT solutions and services, contact us on 0333 006 3366 or drop us an email at info@redpalm.co.uk

Latest From The Blogs

holiday scammers, man using laptop
Cyber Security

7 Ways to Protect Your Business From Holiday Scammers

The Christmas holiday season in the UK is a pivotal time for businesses across industries, marked by a significant increase in sales and customer interactions. However, alongside these opportunities, there’s also a rise in holiday scams and cyber attacks as fraudulent individuals exploit the Christmas holiday rush. 

Read More
cyber risk report, IT technicians discussing report on tablet
General

Redpalm and Hexiosec – Importance of Cyber Risk Reports

As cyber security threats in the UK evolve in sophistication and prevalence, cyber security risk has become a growing concern

Read More
prevent a data breach, computer devices with code and access denied displayed on screen
Cyber Security

5 Effective Strategies to Prevent a Data Breach

Data breaches occur when any sensitive information is leaked or exposed to the public without authorisation. They can lead to the loss of your organisation’s intellectual property, customer data, or other confidential information.

Read More
cybersecurity metrics, woman next to data projection
Cyber Security

7 Cyber Security Metrics Every Business Should Track

The ever-evolving nature of cyber threats means tracking cyber security metrics is essential for evaluating your company’s cyber security posture and maintaining cyber defences.

Read More
digital privacy, person typing in their login credentials
General

Understanding the Future of Digital Privacy

Technological advancements have reshaped how personal information is collected, shared, and used, and privacy has emerged as one of the biggest challenges in this digital age.

Read More
cyber security certification UK, two males working on a computer in server room
Cyber Security

5 Tips to Secure Your Cyber Essentials Certification in the UK

According to the 2024 Cyber Security Breaches Survey conducted by the UK government, 50% of UK businesses experienced a cyber attack or security breach in 2023.  With a growing frequency of cyber attacks, many businesses have begun to prioritise cyber security and cyber security certification in the UK.

Read More
cyber security strategy, woman and man working on computers
Cyber Security

How to Build a Strong Cyber Security Strategy

According to cyber security stats, cyber attacks have become more prevalent in recent years, not only increasing in number of incidents but also in their level of sophistication. This increase in ransomware, phishing, and other types of cyber attacks has only emphasised the need and importance of a cyber security strategy for businesses across industries.  An effective cyber security strategy helps you protect your digital assets, such as your systems, networks, and data, from unauthorised access and damage. A well-constructed strategy involves procedures, policies and frameworks to help reduce risks, respond to incidents and safeguard sensitive data.  Your cyber security strategy isn’t meant to be perfect; it’s intended to act as a strongly educated guess as to what you need to do to keep your business safe. As your organisation and the world around you evolve, your strategy needs to evolve as well.

Read More
cyber criminal tactics, two individuals hacking into a computer system
Cyber Security

7 Common Cyber Criminal Tactics to Watch Out For

Cyber crimes are attempts by cyber criminals, hackers or other malicious individuals to gain unauthorised access to a computer network or system. These attacks often target a range of victims, from individual users to organisations and even governments, which begs the question, can cyber crime be curbed?

Read More
improve online security, a person using a laptop with visual of security overlaid on top of image
Cyber Security

6 Simple Ways to Boost Your Company’s Online Security

Online security, aka cyber security, involves protecting your business’s sensitive information and critical systems from unauthorised access and theft. With data networks being almost universal, fraudsters are becoming more and more innovative with their scams. Every day, countless cyber criminals scan unsecured or poorly secured networks, looking for an opportune moment to attack.

Read More
phishing email scam, paper email icon on a hook above a laptop
Cyber Security

A Deep Dive Into HR Phishing Email Scams

Have you ever received an email from your HR team that appeared too good to be true? Or perhaps there was something about it that sounded a little off. Beware—you may have narrowly avoided falling into the clutches of an HR phishing email scam.

Read More