Ransomware actors continually refine their methods to take advantage of vulnerabilities and extort ransoms from both organizations and individuals. These attacks can disrupt core services and inflict serious financial and reputational harm underscoring the importance of maintaining constant vigilance. To do so, it is essential to understand the signs and typical mistakes that lead to these attacks. By identifying early warning signs and proactively addressing security vulnerabilities, organizations can protect themselves from becoming targets of ransomware.

However, not all ransomware attacks involve the encryption component. It’s important to remember that many ransomware groups today are skipping the encryption phase altogether once the data is stolen and simply extorting their victims. The DC Fusion Center recently released an intelligence assessment (attached below) that discusses this approach.

Key Indicators of an Imminent Ransomware Attack

There are certain red flags that frequently indicate an impending ransomware attack. These may include lateral phishing emails originating from within the organization’s domain indicating a successful account takeover. As well as multiple suspicious login attempts, preliminary test attacks, the discovery of hacker tools, and efforts to disable active directory and domain controllers. If a few devices have been encrypted, this is likely a red flag that a ransomware threat actor is testing their strategy and is about to perform a more significant assault.

Another common sign of an imminent attack are automated vulnerability scans on the network. This approach allows threat actors to quickly locate and exploit weaknesses in systems. They utilize sophisticated tools to search for outdated software, misconfigured systems, and unpatched vulnerabilities. Once they identify a vulnerable point, they can swiftly deploy ransomware across multiple targets.

Common Mistakes Leading to Ransomware Attacks

While it’s important to vigilantly watch out for indications of an intrusion, perhaps equally important is to beef up the network’s security. Various common mistakes can significantly raise the likelihood of a ransomware attack. These errors typically stem from weaknesses in security protocols and insufficient awareness of potential threats. Here are several common missteps to be aware of:

• Weak Passwords and Lack of MFA
• Poorly Managed Remote Desktop Protocol Connections
• Outdated Software and Unpatched Systems
• No Regular Data Backups
• Inadequate Employee Training and Awareness
• No Incident Response Plan

WaterISAC has addressed each of these important security measures at various times, see the below resources for guidance on several of them:

• Security Awareness – Threat Actors are not Tired of Pushing MFA Notification Prompts
• Cyber Resilience – Is your Utility Incident Response Ready?
• Cyber Resilience – 5 Ways to Maximize Your Organization’s Resiliency Rate

For more information on the common indicators leading to ransomware attacks, visit IT Security Guru.