Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, designed to deny access to a computer system or data until ransom is paid. Ransomware spreads through phishing emails, malvertising, visiting infected websites or by exploiting vulnerabilities. Ransomware attacks cause downtime, data leaks, intellectual property theft and data breaches. Ransom payment amounts range from a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Payable in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
An estimated 16,000 websites are believed to be running a vulnerable and no-longer-maintained WordPress plugin that can be exploited to display pop-up ads and redirect visitors to webpages containing porn, scams, and–worst of all–malware designed to infect users’ computers. Researchers at WordFence went public about how hackers are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in a third-party WordPress plugin called Rich Reviews to inject malvertising code into vulnerable WordPress sites.
Staff members at the Campbell County Memorial Hosptial are scrambling to operate business as usual after the computer systems at the hospital were struck by ransomware last Friday. The hospital claims, " All CCH computer systems have been affected, which impacts the organization’s ability to provide patient care". The attack forced the healthcare provider to cancel some surgeries, and cancel all outpatient lab, respiratory therapy, radiology exams and procedures, and new inpatient admissions.
WannaCry is a ransomware cryptoworm cyber attack that targets computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system. It was initially released on 12 May 2017. The ransomware encrypted data and demanded ransom of $300 to $600, paid in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. WannaCry is also known as WannaCrypt, WCry, Wana Decrypt0r 2.0, WanaCrypt0r 2.0 and Wanna Decryptor.
Vacationers using mobile apps to reserve their hotel rooms have recently been hit by a targeted skimming attack. Trend Micro found a series of security incidents that took place earlier this morning where the booking sites belonging to two popular hotel chains were hit by credit card skimming malware known as Magecart.
Security researchers at Palo Alto Networks have discovered a new malware threat that targets Macs in what appears to be a sophisticated attempt to raid cryptocurrency wallets. The malware, which researchers have dubbed CookieMiner, has a variety of weapons in its armory that could make it particularly worrisome for cryptocurrency investors.
For years, ransomware actors have developed new families and attack campaigns in increasing frequency and numbers. Such activity peaked in 2017 but then fell in tandem with cryptocurrency miners’ rise. This development was short-lived, however. Between Q4 2018 and Q1 2019, Malwarebytes observed a 195 percent increase in ransomware detections involving business targets. The rate was even greater compared to Q1 2018 at 500 percent.
Every year we survey visitors to our booth at Black Hat about trending topics. This year, we asked about ransomware and the ever-increasing complexity of our cybersecurity environment. The results are very interesting - things may be getting much better, or we may all be collectively in denial. Let's break it down.
Students in the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District were expecting to head back to school today, but a ransomware attack forced officials to push back the first day of school. The district's superintendent, Elsie Rodriguez, was forced to send out an email to parents Tuesday night, claiming to have experienced a cyber security threat that impacted the district's operations.
