Ransomware Protection: Block and Remediate

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is malicious software (malware) used in a cyberattack to encrypt a victim’s data. The data becomes unusable until a ransom is paid.

70% of ransomware occurrences employ double extortion tactics, where attackers exfiltrate and steal sensitive company information to coerce companies to pay even more. If payment isn’t made, the attackers leak the data onto the dark web.

By 2031, ransomware is likely to cost victims more than $250 billion annually, with a new attack occurring every two seconds.¹

Why is ransomware increasing?

Ransomware is constantly evolving and becoming both more pervasive and lucrative. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), where ransomware can be purchased for a small fee or a percentage of the ransom payment, makes it easier for bad actors to stage a ransomware attack — while virtually untraceable ransom payments can be made to the anonymous cyber criminals through cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin.

Explore what caused the recent spikes in ransomware activity, the new rules of engagement, and how you should respond if you become the victim of a ransomware cyberattack.

Watch the Ransomware Realities webinar

Duncan McAlynn, an industry expert specializing in ransomware and incident response .

Defend against ransomware with Cisco Security

For web and internet

Cisco Umbrella blocks malicious internet requests at the DNS layer, preventing ransomware at the earliest stage of infection on any device, anywhere.

For endpoints

Cisco Secure Endpoint automatically detects, contains, and removes ransomware before it encrypts your endpoints.

For email security

Cisco Secure Email stops ransomware attempting to enter the network through phishing scams – keeping your users’ inboxes safe from ransomware.

How Octapharma reduced ransomware

“We drastically reduced our exposure to ransomware, and since deploying Cisco Umbrella, we have not been a victim of ransomware as a result of clicking a malicious link. We have covered a great risk in the web attack vector of ransomware, and greatly improved our user experience in regards to internet connectivity.”

Jason Hancock
Global Senior Network Engineer
Octapharma case study

Cape Air blocks threats before they reach the network and end users

“After deploying Umbrella, we were able to reduce malware infections by more than 90% and the airline has not experienced any security incidents.”

Brett Stone
Network Operations Manager
Cape Air case study

Ransomware insights from Talos

Cisco Cyber Threat Trends Report:
From Trojan Takeovers to Ransomware Roulette

Our latest threat report is the story of what the DNS traffic tells us: the most prevalent threats, how they work, and how to stop them.

Get the report

Cover of the Cisco Cyber Threat Trends Report shown on a tablet

^{1. Brave, David, Global Ransomware Damage Costs Predicted to Reach $250 Billion (USD) by 2031, Cyber Security Ventures, June 1, 2021.}

Ransomware is on the rise

What is Ransomware?

Why is ransomware increasing?