Cyber Extortion
Here’s a topic that’s been making headlines and causing sleepless nights for many: Cyber extortion.
Is it something that’s on your radar? It should be because it might affect your business one day.
What is cyber extortion?
It’s a type of cybercrime where criminals threaten to harm your business by compromising its data and digital assets unless a ransom is paid. These threats often involve ransomware, malicious software that encrypts your data, making it inaccessible until you pay the ransom.
Sometimes, cybercriminals go a step further by stealing data and threatening to release it publicly on dark web leak sites if their demands aren’t met. This dual threat is known as double extortion.
According to a 2024 report, the number of victims of cyber extortion scams has skyrocketed by 77% over the past year. Moreover, small businesses are four times more likely to be targeted than their larger counterparts. This is a worrying trend, especially considering that smaller businesses often have fewer resources to defend against these attacks.
In the first quarter of this year alone, 1,046 businesses fell victim to double extortion. That may not seem huge, but bear in mind the actual number is likely much higher since many cases go unreported, hiding in the shadows of what experts call the “dark number.”
The truth is that all businesses, regardless of size or industry, are potential targets. However, certain sectors are more frequently attacked. Manufacturing, professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as wholesale trade, top the list. Alarmingly, the healthcare and social assistance sectors are also seeing a significant rise in attacks despite the potential societal and political repercussions.
Cybercriminals are opportunistic and strategic. They target regions with strong economic growth and shared languages. For instance, cyber extortion attacks in the US have increased by 108%.
While the rise in cyber extortion is a big worry, there are steps you can take to protect your business. Here are some key strategies:
Back up your data:
Create a robust backup plan. Store your critical data in an offline or offsite location, and regularly test your backup restoration process.
Keep software updated:
Ensure that all your devices, especially those connected to the internet, use the latest software.
Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Strengthen your access controls with MFA. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple verification forms (such as a code on a separate device) before access is granted. Also, limit user access to only the systems they need for their jobs.
Patch and vulnerability management:
Regularly update your systems to fix security vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals often exploit known weaknesses, so staying on top of patches can prevent many attacks.
By understanding cyber extortion and how it works, you can better prepare your business to defend against it. Remember, the key is to be proactive.