Modern ransomware operators blend extortion with data theft, targeting the most business-critical systems.
Attack pattern
- Initial access via phishing, exposed services, or compromised credentials.
- Lateral movement to escalate privileges and locate backups.
- Encryption or data theft, followed by ransom demands and deadlines.
Defensive focus
- Enforce MFA and monitor remote access.
- Segment backups and test restoration regularly.
- Use EDR and network detection to spot lateral movement early.
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