Cyber Security News
Ransomware hits 40%
August 08, 2016
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Ransomware
hit 40% of businesses last year, says a new study from
cyber-security firm Malwarebytes. The results:
- What’s it cost? - 40% of victims paid the ransom. Ransomware isn’t cheap… 60% wanted over $1,000, 20% asked for $10,000, and 1% demanded over $150,000.
- What’s the impact? - 20% of victims had to close down temporarily, and 3.5% of victims said that lives were at stake.
- Who is at risk? - US executives are “disproportionally targeted”. Healthcare and financial services are likely targets.
- What’s next? - Experts warn that cyber criminals will soon be demanding higher ransoms from businesses and targeted individuals. But down the road, self-propagating ransomware is the real concern. Currently, ransomware has been limited to one computer. Once ransomware spreads like a virus, an outbreak could be devastating to business.