Why do hackers use ransomware?

The Motive for Ransomware Ransomware is designed to prevent the attacked from accessing files or information in their systems until money is paid to the attacker.

Why do hackers target government?

Hackers have many reasons why they want to target governments and many methods of how to attack. Government agencies and institutions house highly sensitive information – a goldmine for hackers. The government is at the intersection of many different industries – attacks could be coming from all sides.

What does ransomware allow hackers?

Ransomware is defined as vicious malware that locks users out of their devices or blocks access to files until a sum of money or ransom is paid. Ransomware attacks cause downtime, data loss, possible intellectual property theft, and in certain industries an attack is considered a data breach.

Do ransomware attackers ever get caught?

Successful ransomware attacks see the ransom paid in cryptocurrency, which is difficult to trace, and converted and laundered into fiat currency. Cybercriminals often invest the proceeds to enhance their capabilities – and to pay affiliates – so they don’t get caught.

Can hackers shut down the Internet?

By using a technique called DNS (Domain Name Server) hijacking, hackers can breach the security of your home Wi‑Fi and potentially cause you a great deal of harm. They can redirect your traffic to a website run by them, causing you to unwittingly give your credit card number or Facebook login credentials to a criminal.

Why is it difficult to prosecute cases of ransomware?

If the ransomware attackers are based in a different country, as they often are, that requires US officials to pursue international cooperation and diplomacy that can further slow down and complicate the prosecution process.

How common is ransomware?

85\% of MSPs report ransomware as a common threat to small to mid-sized businesses. 29\% of small businesses had experience with ransomware, making them more likely to be unprepared for the threat. The average size company of a ransomware attack in 2019 was 645 employees.