How Ransomware Victimizes Millions
How Ransomware Victimizes Millions
13.1 million Americans have been targeted by ransomware, and of all nationalities they pay extortionists the most—50% of U.S. victims paid their cyber-attackers.
Ransomware Not Accurately Identified
Less than half of users can accurately identify ransomware as a type of malware that prevents or limits access to data, but two-thirds know that it can harm computers.
Millions Victimized By Ransomware
The United States has most ransomware victims—4.1% of the population or 13.1 million. The breakout for other nations is as follows: Germany: 3.8%, or 3.1 million, Romania: 3.4%, or 350,000 France: 3.3%, or 2.2 million United Kingdom 2.6%, or 1.7 million Denmark: 2%, or 100,000
Americans Most Willing to Pay
Americans make cyber-extortion worthwhile; 50% of ransomware victims have paid extortionists. 48% of Romania and 44% of United Kingdom’s victims have paid ransom. Germans and Danes seem to be more skeptical; 33 and 14%, respectively, pay requested fees.
Most Valued Documents: Photos
Of all personal documents, Americans value photos most. 30% would pay to recover personal documents and 25% would pay for photos, whereas only 18% would pay to recover job-related documents.
Brits Pay More Cash
Brits are willing to pay 400 pounds to decrypt their files. The French would be willing to dispense €188 to recover their data, while Germans would part with €211.
Americans Most Targeted
61.8% of all malware files distributed via email target U.S. Internet users and contain some form of ransomware. France, the United Kingdom, Romania, Denmark and Germany follow with 56%, 55%, 50%, 42% and 31%, respectively.
Spam Emails Most Feared
Emails are the most common delivery method for ransomware infections. 21% of all ransomware-infected emails target the United States. United Kingdom and France come in second and third, with 9% and 4%.
Why Ransomware Is Different From Traditional Malware
It doesn’t steal victims’ information. It encrypts it. It doesn’t try to hide after files are encrypted because detection will not restore lost data. It usually demands ransom in a virtual currency. It’s relatively easy to produce; there are several well-documented crypto libraries.
Two Main Forms of Ransomware
Two main types of ransomware circulate today: Device lockers – lock the device screen and display image that blocks access to the device. The message demands payment, but personal files are not encrypted. Crypto-ransomware – boast reversible encryption of personal files and folders, like documents, spreadsheets, pictures and videos.
How Ransomware Proliferates
Ransomware proliferates through the following main attack vectors:
Spam/social engineering, Direct drive-by-download, Drive-by-download through malvertising, Malware installation tools and botnets
