As technology improves, opportunities and challenges also increase. We have become a technology-dependent society because of the numerous benefits it brings. However, it has become a focal point for cyber-attacks, cybercrime, and industrial espionage. Cases of ransomware have increased since most of the cybercriminals have now developed tougher-to-prevent means of creating money through cyber-attacks. For an organization who has been a victim of such attacks, the damage caused can be very severe. For example, the ransomware can paralyze business activities of an organization. These attacks are not only target corporates but may also target small business and specific people. Any company or individual with access to critical data should worry …show more content…
When workers tried to access the system, they were only able to see and respond to a demand of $300 paid in bitcoin. The culprit was known as Wannacry or Wanna Decryptor. A similar attack was also reported in various parts of the world (brandom, 2017).One of the best ways to counteract ransomware is to avoid being vulnerable to the threats. Since ransomware attacks freeze and encrypt data, it is essential for an organization or an individual to back up their critical data and information periodically (Kansagra et al., 2016). Through backup, even if the system is attacked and data encrypted, a copy of the same will still be available. The copy may be used to get back control of the files without paying a ransom. Ransomware attacks often get to computers before working their way to servers. Therefore, any backup mechanism put in place should not be directly connected to the computers where the attackers can gain access. A copy of the files will only be safe if the backup is done offline. Although it may take a considerable amount of time to get the system back to normal, it is a painless process compared to a situation in which payment must be made to get back the …show more content…
Britain’s National Health Service was among the organizations that had not upgraded their system to the most recent version (Carlin, 2017). Sometimes, the IT departments of these organization might have valid reasons for the delay in deploying patches such as testing of patches in a lab environment for conflict before allowing them into the system, but timing is critical. The WannaCry demonstrated that many companies could be caught unaware due to their mission-critical custom applications and configurations that need to be check for compatibility before deploying the patches (Shinder 2017). However, it was evident that policymakers had to rethink and balance the risk of waiting and timely patching.Awareness about the potential risks and impact of the cyber activity on computers and networks is essential in preventing ransomware. Campaigns focusing on stressing that employees of organizations should not click on links and attachments should be carried out. Phishing is one of the common entry means of ransomware since most of the end users are not aware of the potential dangers (Kansagra et al.,
With the growing threat of cyber-terror crimes it is no secret that the victims and potential victims of these crimes would be uneasy. The short terms affects could include loss of valuable information, money, damage to brand and company reputation
Ransomware is a malicious computer program that encrypts your computers contents and requires a key to unlock the encryption. You are instructed to wire bitcoins (anonymous internet
The threat is incredibly serious—and growing. Our nation’s critical infrastructure, including both private and public sector networks, are targeted by adversaries. American companies are targeted for trade secrets and other sensitive data, and universities for their cutting-edge research and development. Citizens from anywhere across the globe are targeted by fraudsters and identity thieves, and children are targeted by online predators. Just as the FBI transformed itself to better address the terrorist threat after the 9/11 attacks, this means enhancing the Cyber Division’s investigative capacity to have strong sharp focus on intrusions into government and private computer like network to.hospitals, school districts, state and local governments, law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, Drug Enforcement Administration, National Security Agency, Naval Criminal investigative Service and Department Of Defense, small businesses, large businesses these are just many who have been impacted by ransomware, a threat type of malware that encrypts, or locks, valuable digital files and
Moreover, many organizations within the public and private sector heavily relies on technology to carry out their day to day operations. Those cyber technologies help make many difficult or tedious tasks easier to do and technology can also carry out many of those tasks more effectively and efficiently than humans can. However, cyber technologies are at risk of espionage, cyber attacks, or other crimes such as theft and fraud (Ammori & Poellet, 2010).
Times have changed what was known as organized crime has been replaced by Cybercrimes (Heists: Cybercrimes with Ben Hammersley). Cybercrimes have risen dramatically in recent years and have become a major issue the United States and company’s face today jeopardizing as well as threatening the critical infrastructure of America (Cyberwar Threat, 2005). Sadly, the status quo of cyber security is very unstable with the advancements and growth which has put most individuals and businesses into an enormous threat (Agustina, 2015).
I have written the article about the KKK Ransomware contamination. This irritation is one of the most current increments to the ransomware family. Found not long ago, KKK is identified with the infamous HiddenTear extend and has turned out to be similarly as unsafe as whatever other ransomware piece. It sneaks into your machine and inflicts destruction. It finds and encodes your records along these lines denying you access to them. What is intriguing about KKK, however, is that it just locks the records that are on your Desktop. Be that as it may, this is all that could possibly be needed to cause you a headache. All things considered, the documents you utilize the most are normally in that spot on your Desktop. What's more, the
Computers have become part of our daily complex lives; we depend heavily on computers to help break our complicated lives down. Most people now prefer to do things the digital way and so does companies. Most of trading (buying and selling) is now online which requires computers. In order to satisfy our hunger for digital living, there is a need for technology called the operating system to carry out the activities we require our computers to do. Computers and technology come in different forms and sizes and due to the capitalistic nature of our economy everyone is allowed to come up with their own form of computer and even the technology to run it. In recent years’ companies have gained interest doing business digitally and since software have become easier to write or code, it is also vulnerable- easy for programmers to access and exploit called hacking. Hackers are unapproved clients who break into a technological framework, change or decimate data, frequently by introducing hazardous malware without the insight and assent of the host company. Companies are now at risk of losing much more than money by doing business the digital way. It is in this view that the Security Exchange
With the dramatic development in the technology of computers and communications, the entire world has certainly benefited a great deal, but the purchase price of computers might also be very expensive. Computer crimes are now becoming very serious problems that are costing as much as billions of dollars. Also, computer crimes are threatening the continuing future of communication, confidentiality, and even the integrity of businesses and organizations.
The use of information technology in business presents major security challenges, poses serious ethical question, and affects society in significant ways. Especially, the computer crime is a growing threat to society and is caused by the criminal or irresponsible actions of individuals who are taking advantage of the widespread use and vulnerability of computers and the Internet and other networks. It presents a major challenge to the integrity, safety, and survival of most business systems.
April of 2017 saw the introduction of the Onion ransomware virus, one that is of the Dharma ransomware variety. Experts state this is a high risk virus and one that organizations need to protect against. When a computer becomes infected, files will be encrypted with the .onion extension. The computer system owner then receives a short text message explaining what steps have to be taken to restore the infected files and fix the system. If help is needed in doing so, the owner is directed to
Prevalent to the current trend now is the dependency of the society on Information technology and communication systems. Every aspect of human life is one way or the other linked and controlled by information technology tools. The importance of information technology cannot be over emphasized as its unavailability could lead to a form of disaster or the other. Pivotal infrastructures like finance, healthcare, education and security are driven by information technology. However, information technology and its benefits are accompanied by vulnerabilities and risks that can be exploited by people with the necessary technical skills. Individuals like ‘Hackers’ and ‘Cyber Terrorist’ can cause disruption to information systems, commit financial fraud and also attack computers and networks. These attacks and disruptions could result to violence against people and properties. In some cases, death, serious injuries and severe economic loss could occur as a result of these attacks.
Just like a biological virus, a computer virus is able to infect and ruin lives. This malicious software constitutes more than just simple viruses but also includes other types of software including worms, Trojan horses, and ransomware. Malware has been around since the late 1980’s. Originally, people became hackers to gain notoriety online, but today, it has become more of a business. Cyber attacks originate from all around the world, and it is not just individual people that benefit from it. In two decades, numerous cyber crime syndicates have been created, and states all over the world sponsor hacker groups. Over the past twenty-five years, malware has become less about checking the integrity of computer security and gaining notoriety in the underground cyber society, and it has become more of a chaos creating, money making business that many people and institutions take part in.
Variants of ransomware now allow victims to “pay” by spreading the malware to their friends and family. Another variant, Spora, allows tiered payments that unlock “some” or “all” of a victim’s encrypted files or grant “immunity” from the virus that infected them. Expect that to continue in 2017 with an emphasis on alternative payment modes (always the trickiest part of the ransomware scheme). (Roberts, 2017)
Almost all kind of large and small organizations might face increasing number of attacks into their network or intellectual property. This may lead to data disclosure, data destruction, and damage of organization’s reputation. There are numerous threats in the cyber space which might be capable of stealing, destroying or making use of out sensitive data for financial and non-financial gains. As the amount of computer, mobile and internet users increases, so does the number of exploiters.
Cybercrime has become a fast growing concern for the 21st century as businesses, institutions and individuals grow into an interconnected web of computer networks. Online business transactions, along with the sharing of personal information, are vulnerable to a host of disasters that can reap economic and social havoc. Some sources say that today, cybercrime costs more than $1.0 trillion to society--Global Industry Analysts, Inc. forecasted the world cyber security market to reach $80 billion by 2017 (Gale, 2011).