{"id":5678,"date":"2024-07-08T14:56:54","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T12:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.numeryx.fr\/what-is-ransomware\/"},"modified":"2024-09-11T18:15:26","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T16:15:26","slug":"what-is-ransomware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.numeryx.fr\/en\/latest-news\/our-blog\/what-is-ransomware\/","title":{"rendered":"What is ransomware?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Explanation for newcomers<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n

Composed of “ransom” and “ware”, a suffix of the English word “software”, ransomware is malicious software which, once introduced into a computer system, blocks its use and displays a ransom message on the screen in exchange for the return of control of a device or a fleet of devices.<\/p>\n\n

This can apply to a single computer, or to a fleet of computers, immobilizing all these devices while you get rid of this malware (malicious software), either by paying the ransom, or by finding the right IT team to get rid of the problem.<\/p>\n\n

In more<\/strong> advanced<\/strong> terms<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n

In other words, ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files, making the data inaccessible until a ransom is paid for the decryption key. <\/p>\n\n

These attacks can paralyze businesses, hospitals and even critical infrastructures.\nRansomware is often propagated via phishing or unpatched software vulnerabilities. <\/p>\n\n

How does ransomware work?<\/h2>\n\n

To illustrate the impact of ransomware, let’s consider a simulation where a company is attacked.For this example, we propose a 5-step process:<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  1. Initial infection<\/strong>: an employee opens a phishing e-mail containing a malicious link.\nWhen he clicks on it, a ransomware program is discreetly installed on his computer. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Data encryption<\/strong>: the ransomware starts by encrypting the user’s files, then quickly spreads to other machines on the network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Ransomware<\/strong>: the user sees an on-screen message demanding a bitcoin ransom to decrypt the files.\nThe company’s critical files are now inaccessible. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Business paralysis<\/strong>: company operations are interrupted, resulting in significant financial losses and reputational damage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Resolution<\/strong>: the company must choose between paying the ransom (with no guarantee of file recovery) or restoring the data from backups, if they exist and are recent.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    Ransomware, one of hackers’ favorite tools<\/h2>\n\n

    On the podium of malicious practices most used by hackers in 2023 that target businesses, there are :<\/p>\n\n