Cyber crime continues in various iterations. Ransomware is just one of those. Cyber criminals are adapting to the protective measures put in place to protect the data. This news came to us from Info Security online magazine in their article, “Ransomware Not Gone but More Targeted, Report Says.”

Ransomware can be traced back to 1989 when the AIDS Trojan virus was used to extort funds from recipients of the ransomware. Attackers have grown creative over the years by requiring payments that are nearly impossible to trace, which helps cyber criminals remain anonymous.

Ransomware has attacked organizations in nearly every business, with one of the most famous being the attacks on Presbyterian Memorial Hospital. This attack highlighted the potential damage and risks of ransomware.

Cyber criminals continue to grow more sophisticated in their attack methods despite a decline in previously high rates of ransomware. Customized for high-value targets, successful ransomware gives the attacker privileged access to the network.

Melody K. Smith

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