{"id":19562,"date":"2022-01-14T09:59:23","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T09:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/?p=19562"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:05:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:05:39","slug":"how-ransomware-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/easydmarc.com\/blog\/how-ransomware-works\/","title":{"rendered":"How Ransomware Works?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The concept of ransomware, a form of malicious malware, is simple: It\u2019s a fast-evolving malware that targets everyone – from home users to corporate organizations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cyber attackers use such software to lock you out of your data and demand a ransom before restoring access. Since the WannaCry outbreak of 2017, ransomware attacks<\/a> have been on the rise, and it\u2019s evident that the battle between organizations and cyber attackers is just getting started.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to an <\/span>FBI report<\/span><\/a>, over 4,000 ransomware attacks occur daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

With sophisticated security measures in place, it makes people wonder – why is ransomware still successful?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to discover <\/span>how ransomware works<\/b>, <\/span>recent examples<\/b>, and <\/span>how ransomware spreads<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is Ransomware So Successful?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Ransomware continues to be a success because attackers are perfecting their techniques. Meanwhile, organizations fail to implement the best security practices like offline backup and network segmentation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most businesses that fall victim to ransomware usually fail to install the latest software security patches, making it easy for attackers to compromise their network. Large organizations focus more on high attacks like ATP (Advanced Persistent Threat), forgetting that basic ones like ransomware can result in dire outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Technical aspects aside, ransomware has a psychological impact on teams and individuals. Frightened people are easier to manipulate. Hence, the success of the attack type.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Does Ransomware Target?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anyone with confidential data can be a target of ransomware attacks. Small businesses, mega-corporations, and international organizations can all become victims. That said, these attacks have focused more on some industries than others in recent years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the reasons is the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many organizations to shift to remote work. Some industries that are more vulnerable to ransomware hacks include healthcare, financial, and academic institutions, tech companies, and government agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2019 and 2020, several Canadian health institutions were victims of ransomware, including a medical company and three hospitals in Ontario. In early 2021, there was a <\/span>ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline<\/span><\/a>, the biggest pipeline in the US. The entire network shut down, and the company ended up paying the attacker a sum of $4.4 million via Bitcoin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>2021 Data Breach Investigations Report<\/span><\/a> from Verizon, ransomware accounts for 10% of its breaches – more than double the frequency from the previous year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CSE also warns that 2022 will see ransomware attackers become increasingly aggressive in their targeting. Organizations need to enhance cyber security and adopt best practices to mitigate the risks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How Ransomware Spreads<\/b><\/h2>\n

To prevent ransomware attacks<\/a>, you need to know how it spreads in the first place. Ransomware can expand through phishing emails, malicious links, drive-downloading, and malicious websites. Here, we\u2019ll cover how ransomware spreads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Email Attachments<\/b><\/h3>\n

One of the most common ways to spread ransomware is via email Attackers trick users into clicking and downloading malicious attachments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Method<\/b><\/h4>\n

Cyber attackers send email attachments to their victims in different formats like JPEG, PNG, PDF, Word document, or ZIP file, hoping to fool them into clicking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you successfully click or download the ransomware, cybercriminals hijack your system and lock your data. More often than not, people are more likely to open legitimate emails. That\u2019s why scammers carry out in-depth research to learn about their victims and create a convincing story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prevention<\/b><\/h4>\n

While attackers usually take their time to craft such attacks, the good news is that there are ways to protect yourself against ransomware<\/a> via email phishing:<\/span><\/p>\n