Ransomware attacks increasingly target backup copies and use data extortion

Summary

Ransomware development trends show attackers are increasingly targeting backup copies and combining encryption with data extortion threats (threatening to publish stolen data).

Key Details

• Trend: Targeting of backup copies
• Evolution: Dual extortion (encryption + publication threats)
• Context: Summer 2023 analysis
• Reminder: Cyber security during holiday season

Context

This represents an evolution in ransomware tactics, making recovery more difficult by targeting backups while adding leverage through data publication threats.

Notes

• Important trend analysis for ransomware evolution
• Highlights need for offline/immutable backups
• Confidence: high