What is Lockbit and how do you protect your organization?
In the world of cyber threats, it is important to be well-informed about digital dangers. One of the most recent and disturbing threats to emerge in the digital landscape is “Lockbit.” But what exactly is Lockbit and what are its dangers? In this blog, we dive deeper into this disturbing topic.
What is Lockbit?
Lockbit is a form of malicious software, better known as ransomware. The goal of ransomware is to block access to your files or even entire systems until a ransom is paid to the attacker. Lockbit is one of the newest and most advanced variants of this type of malware. What makes it even more dangerous is that it operates under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model. This means that Lockbit’s creators not only conduct attacks themselves, but also enable other malicious actors to use the ransomware through an affiliate program. Novice hackers thus gain access to an advanced tool.
An overview of 5 cyber attacks and how to prevent them can be found here!
How does Lockbit work?
Lockbit is often spread through phishing emails or by exploiting security weaknesses in systems. Once it invades a system, it begins to spread and encrypts files using a complex encryption method. This means you can no longer access your own files unless you pay the ransom to the attacker.
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The dangers of Lockbit
- Loss of sensitive data: Lockbit can cause significant damage by encrypting your important files. This can lead to the loss of sensitive data, financial data, and even customer information. For individuals, it can mean losing personal photos, documents, and other valuable files forever.
- Financial loss: Paying the ransom does not guarantee that you will get your files back. Moreover, paying ransom encourages attackers to continue their malicious practices, thus perpetuating the cycle of ransomware incidents.
- Reputational damage: Lockbit can also cause serious reputational damage for your organization. Customers may lose confidence in your company not being able to secure their data.
How can you protect yourself from Lockbit?
- Keep your software up-to-date: Make sure all your software, including security programs and operating systems, are up-to-date to minimize vulnerabilities. With Scappman, we provide your organization with automatic updates!
- Be wary of Phishing: Be extremely careful when opening emails from unknown senders and don’t click on suspicious links. In this blog, discover how to recognize phishing emails.
- Regular backups: Make regular backups of important files and store them in an external location. This will allow you to recover your data without paying a ransom. Are you using Microsoft 365? Then discover a complete backup solution here!
- Use strong passwords: Use complex passwords and avoid reusing passwords for different accounts. Discover Bitwarden, the reliable password manager!
- Install reliable security software: Use reputable security software to protect against malware attacks.
It is crucial to properly protect yourself from threats like Lockbit, especially given the RaaS model it employs. By staying aware of the dangers and taking the right measures, you can make your digital world safer.
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