Ransomware Attacks Increasing Fast, Cautions Intel Security

According to a freshly-published Threat Report (for Q2-2015) by Intel Security, earlier called McAfee, ransomware attacks are continuously increasing and very rapidly. Softpedia.com reported this, September 1, 2015.

The report highlights that Q2-2015 saw increasing malware that encrypted business data while imposed ransom demands that rose 58%.

Further, ransomware samples increased 127% from Q2-2014. This was mainly because of fast growth in fresh ransomware families, in particular, the CryptoWall and CTB-Locker.

CTO and Vice-President Mike Sentonas of Security Connected at Intel Security says, surprisingly, with just one year gone, and CryptoWall churned $18m in ransom earnings from PC-operators, indicating it's just possible that the trend will go on. ZDNet.com published this, September 2, 2015.

Furthermore according to Chief Technology Officer Raj Samani for Intel Security, Europe Office, ransomware attacks are now much easy for executing given that attackers can obtain GUI (graphical user interfaces) that are simple to use, alternatively consoles for creating tailor-made assaults, through the provision of crimeware services. Computerweekly.com reported this, September 1, 2015.

It's also evident about ransomware assaults, which are comparatively less expensive, that they yield multi-thousand pounds on a weekly basis to attackers since the organizations pay Bitcoins towards fulfilling the ransom demands so as for availing the decryption code for unlocking their computer files.

The time is marked with focus on cyber-security, states the report-it's vital like never-before, while an increase in attacks is expected both across the corporate and personal environments within the third quarter as well as afterwards.

The research determined that over 6.7m malicious attempts lured customers towards linking up with dangerous URLs through online searchers or undesirable e-mails; customer networks confronted over 19.2m contaminated files; 7m PUPs in addition tried getting installed; and that customers made 2.3m attempts towards linking up with dangerous IP addresses alternatively the same IPs tried connecting with the customers' PC-networks -all these on an hourly basis.

Finally, the research highlights that spam generated from botnets showed a declining trend even as such spam went on all through the quarter. The spam bot, Kelihos didn't function; Slenfbot was at the top of the list; Gamut followed close; and Cutwail ranked No.3.

» SPAMfighter News - 9/11/2015