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.

Yelp uses Cisco Umbrella to block ransomware

“Cisco Umbrella can proactively block requests to malicious destinations before a connection is even established or a malicious file downloaded, which makes it a great first line of defense against ransomware.”

Learn how Yelp reduced its incident response time from days to minutes and enhanced its customer experience with Cisco Umbrella automation.

Read the full story

How Yelp defends against ransomware and other security threats (2:23)

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 Defense for dummies

Get your free copy of the Cisco 2nd special edition packed with the latest tips and tricks on how to avoid becoming the victim of a ransomware attack.

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Ransomware insights from Talos

^{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?