Targeting of local governments and enterprises via ransomware attacks

In a span of three years from 2016 to 2019, various local governments and enterprises reported to being victims of ransomware. These attacks have also been on the increase, for example, in U.S alone the government recounted a total 53 incidents during the year 2018. Despite the occurrence of such an aggressive trend, most victims pay less attention to these attacks and others rarely bother to pay the required ransom. Ransomware attackers often have two motives in mind. One is to advertise their newly formed ransomware strain while the other is to off-course receive the intended ransom in form of finances.For the better part of the decade, Cybersecurity campaigns have risen tremendously. Corporate bodies as well as individuals have made it a critical aspect in safeguarding their devices and networks against cyber-crime. While this may appear as great victory in the cybersecurity patriarch, online criminals are restlessly working towards a new and more developed cybercrime tactic. Evidently, 2019 ended as being an eventful year with most ransomware attacks in history. During this time, an increased number of Local governments, enterprises, companies and organizations reported various cyber violations such as identity thefts, data breaches and malware battles.What are ransom-ware attacks?Ransomware is a very simple cybercrime tactic. The fraudsters create malicious software which they use to lock and eventually encrypt a computer or device together with its data. After this, the attackers go about their victims demanding a ransom for the restoration of compromised computers, devices and data. The ransom is often set for a speculated period after which victims risk losing all access to the compromised computers, devices and data. The ever evolving nature of ransom-ware has made it impossible for victims to identify it by a particular form. Ransomware has many forms by which it can be deployed, mentioned are its 7 common types:• Crypto malware• Lockers• Scareware• Doxware• RaaS• Mac Ransomware• Ransomware on mobile devicesHow do ransomware attacks work?Ransomware being software is evolving in nature. Some of its tactics are simple in operation while others are very stubborn. The choice of ransomware and how it will work depends on the security placed on victim computers and data. The moment your device security is breached, you open a door to cyber-crime and for local governments/enterprises the attack may be launched as ransomware.Why are local governments and enterprises targeted by ransomware attacks?Local governments as well as enterprises such as hospitals and schools are highly targeted by ransomware, but why such a trend? Ransomware criminals frequently target high profile victims with sensitive data that they can’t risk losing. The use of computers, network servers and internet is inevitable in this 21st century since they offer a fast and logic way to process, store and transfer data. To some extent, there is a shortcoming because the security of the computers and information remains in contention due to various forms of cyber-crime such as ransomware. Some better ways to combat ransom-ware is to enhance your cyber security tactics, and have a backup system that allows you to restore the compromised computers and data.