Response
Cyber Extortion
Avoid Cyber Extortion with Advanced Response Solutions
As a multi-million dollar cyber crime industry, cyber extortion develops in ways to override even the most sophisticated security systems. Cybercriminals develop advanced technologies to target businesses because they can be exploited extortionately for financial and other sensitive information. Cyber extortionists employ common techniques that can incapacitate devices, data, and systems in exchange for money. Extortionists usually demand excessive amounts of money to not publicize sensitive data, and often, do not keep their end of the bargain. Untrained employees may fall victim to cyber extortion through some of the most common ways hackers can access systems, such as email phishing, ransomware, or overwhelming messages.
Integrated Technology’s cybersecurity experts protect businesses from being targeted by extortionists seeking financial gain at the expense of an organization’s sensitive information. Response solutions from Integrated Technology include trusted methods to reduce the likelihood of becoming the victim of a cyber extortion incident. Our response techniques include identifying system weak points and the implementation of protocols such as multi-factor authentication and Remote Desktop Protocols (RDP) to give business owners the reassurance they need to run efficient operations with the help of state-of-the-art security.
Frequently Asked Questions
When cybercriminals demand payment by threatening malicious activity against a victim, the victim is experiencing a cyber extortion attack. Cyber extortionists can threaten businesses through various methods, such as a data compromise, a data leak, spyware, or disabling systems if payment is not received within a certain amount of time.
Businesses of all sizes are susceptible to different kinds of cyber extortion attacks. Below are some of the most common types of cyber extortion scams affecting businesses today:
- Denial-of-service (DoS or DDoS): As one of the most common cyber extortion schemes, a denial-of-service attack affects a company’s access to its data, devices, and servers. During a denial-of-service attack, the hacker can attack a system and demand payment or request money to prevent an attack from happening.
- Database Ransom Attacks: Hackers identify vulnerable databases and breach them with a ransom note. Often, these databases are on computer systems running on outdated or weak versions of data management systems. A database ransom attack occurs when businesses do not update patches on their database management systems.
- Cyber Blackmail: Cyber blackmail occurs when a private network is breached to steal valuable data. Cyber extortionists will hold this data hostage in exchange for financial gain, often, in cryptocurrency.
Ransomware: When devices are infected with malware preventing access to the data stored on them, a user has been the victim of ransomware. Cybercriminals using ransomware will demand monetary gain to restore a user’s access to their device.
A cyber extortion incident halts the operational capacities of a business. Cyber extortion threats can shut down computer systems through viruses and jeopardize the sensitive information of a business, including passwords, employee and customer information, intellectual property, and financial assets. Integrated Technology’s response solutions lessen the effects of cyber extortion by protecting a business’ vital information.
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