Subj : Ransomware strains are getting quicker and sharper than ever befo
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Mon Oct 09 2023 11:45:04

Ransomware strains are getting quicker and sharper than ever before

Date:
Mon, 09 Oct 2023 10:25:54 +0000

Description:
Some ransomware is deployed within five hours, while most get deployed within 
a day, giving victims little time to react.

FULL STORY
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Were witnessing the next step in the evolution of ransomware , new research 
from Secureworks has claimed, saying the dreaded malware strains are getting 
quicker and sharper than ever before - in direct response to the 
cybersecurity industrys reaction to the threat. 

In 2022, it took ransomware operators 4.5 days on average between initial 
access and the deployment of the encryptor. Today, that number fell below a 
single day - and in fact, in more than 50% of engagements, ransomware gets 
deployed within a day, and in 10% of cases, it gets deployed within five 
hours. 

The reason for this significant change is the cybersecurity teams response to 
the threat of ransomware. Theyre getting better at spotting the initial signs 
that might lead to ransomware, forcing hackers to move faster. Faster than 
the defenders 

The driver for the reduction in median dwell time is likely due to the 
cybercriminals desire for a lower chance of detection, commented Don Smith, 
VP Threat Intelligence, Secureworks Counter Threat Unit. 

The cybersecurity industry has become much more adept at detecting activity 
that is a precursor to ransomware. As a result, threat actors are focusing on 
simpler and quicker to implement operations, rather than big, multi-site 
enterprise-wide encryption events that are significantly more complex. But 
the risk from those attacks is still high. 

Despite the change, cybercriminals are still using the same methods to deploy 
the same variants. In most cases, they go for scan-and-exploit, stolen 
credentials, or commodity malware distributed via phishing emails. 

Through these channels, they get to deploy the usual suspects: LockBit, 
BlackCat, and Cl0p. There are also new entrants to the market - up-and-coming 
encryptors that are slowly making a name for themselves: MalasLocker, 8BASE 
and Akira are all newcomers worthy of attention, the researchers said. In 
fact, 8BASE listed nearly 40 victims on its leak site in June 2023, only 
slightly fewer than LockBit. 

Secureworks full report can be found on this link . More from TechRadar Pro 
Ransomware attacks have doubled thanks to AI Here's a list of the best 
firewalls today These are the best endpoint protection software right now



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/ransomware-strains-are-getting-quicker-
and-sharper-than-ever-before


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