Direct Technology Group Blog

Direct Technology Group provides professional IT Support and Network Services for Businesses around Deerfield Beach. Computer Services, Tech Support, IT Solutions and more!

What Data is Stolen During a Ransomware Attack?

What Data is Stolen During a Ransomware Attack?

You can’t check the news without seeing the word “ransomware” plastered across the screen. It’s a major threat for businesses in just about any industry and of any size. In order to keep your business safe both now and into the future, you’ll have to implement adequate security measures that can put a stop to these types of threats. Of course, it’s easier said than done, especially when certain data is more likely to be targeted than others.

The Definition of Ransomware

Ransomware is an extremely dangerous threat that can encrypt files on the victim’s computer or network. The hacker then uses the encryption to extort payment from the victims in exchange for the decryption key. Recent variants of ransomware also threaten to release the stolen data online, which is notable because victims cannot simply restore a data backup to get around the encryption. These types of double-extortion tactics can be devastating due to data privacy and compliance laws.

Ransomware Statistics

It helps to know what types of data are most frequently targeted by ransomware, which is what the following report by Rapid7 aimed to showcase. According to Rapid7’s analysis, the following types of data are most likely to be targeted by ransomware attacks, the bulk of which was comprised of two specific industries:

  • Financial services
    • Customer data (82%)
    • Employee personally identifiable information (59%)
  • Healthcare industries
    • Financial information (71%)
    • Customer and patient information (58%)

You can see the trend here; most data stolen by hackers is going to be valuable information that can be sold on the online black market, and it is often data which can be used to commit fraud or impersonate users through their personally identifiable information and financial credentials. Granted, this might be the most targeted data, but this does not mean that other types of data are not equally as valuable to hackers. All data can be valuable in some capacity, so you should treat it as such.

Is Your Business Prepared?

It’s incredibly important that you protect your business in any way possible from these types of cyberattacks. One of the best ways you can do so is with a data backup system utilizing multiple off-site locations, including the cloud and secure data centers. The others require a more comprehensive and more proactive approach. The aim here is to address security issues and challenges before they become data breaches.

Direct Technology Group wants to help you make it happen. To learn more, reach out to us at (954) 739-4700.

There Are A Lot More Scams Than You May Realize
Largest DDoS Attack Ever Thwarted by Cloudflare
 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Guest
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Thursday, 07 November 2024

Captcha Image

Blog Archive

2014
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November

Mobile? Grab this Article

QR Code
Request a Consultation

Direct Technology Group strives to provide the best comprehensive IT, Computer, and Networking services to small businesses. We can handle all of your organization's technology challenges.

Contact Us
Contact Us

Learn more about what Direct Technology Group can do for your business.

1358 W Newport Center Dr
Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442

Call us: (954) 739-4700

News & Updates
Direct Technology Group is proud to announce the launch of our new website at www.directtechnologygroup.com. The goal of the new website is to make it easier for our existing clients to submit and manage support requests, and provide more information about our services for ...