Cyber extortion is a topic that's been making headlines and causing sleepless nights for many. Is it something that's on your radar? It should be, because it could affect your business one day.
So, 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, a malicious software that encrypts your data, making it inaccessible until you pay the ransom. Sometimes, cyber criminals go a step further by stealing data and threatening to release it publicly on dark web leak sites if their demands aren't met, a dual threat 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. What’s more, small businesses are four times more likely to be targeted compared to larger counterparts. This is a worrying trend, especially since 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. While that number may not seem huge, the actual figure is likely much higher since many cases go unreported, hiding in the shadows of what experts call the “dark number.”
The truth is, 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. Cyber criminals are opportunistic and strategic, targeting 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 concerning, there are steps you can take to protect your business. Here are some key strategies:
By understanding what cyber extortion is and how it works, you can better prepare your business to defend against it. The key is to be proactive. If we can help prepare your business and keep it safe, get in touch.
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