Ransomware has been steadily growing for years before exploding in 2017 with the WannaCry and Petya attacks that hit businesses of all sizes. Ransomware is a type of malicious malware that encrypts – and in some cases, can delete – users’ files and demands a ransom payment for their decryption.
Ransomware goes beyond PCs. The proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) means the attack surface has increased for businesses and consumers alike. Stories of smart TVs getting hacked by ransomware have made consumer headlines. In terms of business, last year’s WannaCry Ransomware attack was found to have infected MedRads – medical devices that assist in MRI scans.
Similarly, penetration testers hacked a smart thermostat in a proof-of-concept example, showing that hackers could infiltrate these devices with Ransomware and control the heating until the victim paid the ransom.
This infographic from IT support company TSG outlines ransomware and how you can avoid falling victim.
