There is a common view that malware is something that allows an attacker access to your computer so he can steal your data. Remote Access Trojans delivered the contaminated attachment for example, are a typical example.

The attacker then profits by selling your data to others who exploit it. However, this involves trusting a larger number of people and increases the risks to the attacker of being caught. It also involves a lot of additional work, blending details from many attacks to hide where the data was taken from, and who took it.

Ultimately, criminal activity is driven by a desire to make money. And to survive to be able to enjoy your gains.

There has been a well publicised rise in ransomware where the malware encrypts files or disables a system and money is required by the attacker to release them. This is a result of the attackers wishing to remove the risk from the monetisation of their successful compromise of a system. They are reducing the number of people needed to realise the profit, and exploiting the anonymity of Bitcoin to remain hidden

The consequences of the two types of Malware on a businesses that are unprepared for them are different. The former is an attack against confidentiality, ransomware attacks availability.

Both are Security Incidents, and both are in part mitigated by anti-malware systems, but the method of surviving the attack is different.

Confidentiality losses can be reduced by the appropriate use of encryption, ensuring that if data is compromised there is another layer of defence in place.
Availability losses can be mitigated by a suitable business continuity plan to ensure business can still operate in the absence of whatever technology is being held to ransom. It just has to last long enough for affected items to be repaired or replaced, and data recovered from backups. And keep the backups off-line, finding they have also been encrypted will not improve matters.

The likelihood of both can also be reduced by user education: Be aware of Phishing Attacks, report odd events. The impact is reduced by Incident Response planning.

At the moment, ransomware is commonly attacking traditional IT systems and more recently mobile phones and other devices. In the future ransomware will be deployed against smart connected things.

Pay One Bitcoin to get your Roomba back out from under the sofa.