Technology
'Ransomware attacks to morph into 2-stage extortion campaigns'
New Delhi, Dec 5
Ransomware attacks are set to morph into two-stage extortion campaigns and criminals will exploit their extortion victims even more in 2020, cyber security company McAfee said on Thursday.
According to McAfee's "Advanced Threat Research (ATR)", the rise of targeted ransomware has created a growing demand for compromised corporate networks. This demand is met by criminals who specialise in penetrating corporate networks and sell complete network access in one go.
"For 2020, we predict the targeted penetration of corporate networks will continue to grow and ultimately give way to two-stage extortion attacks.
"In the first stage, cybercriminals will deliver a crippling ransomware attack, extorting victims to get their files back. In the second stage, criminals will target the recovering ransomware victims again with an extortion attack but this time they will threaten to disclose the sensitive data stolen before the ransomware attack," McAfee said in a statement.
A very viable threat vector will emerge and adversaries will begin to generate deepfakes to bypass facial recognition, the cyber security firm predicted.
It will be critical for businesses to understand the security risks presented by facial recognition and other biometric systems and invest in educating themselves of the risks as well as hardening critical systems.
Container-based Cloud deployments are growing in popularity due to the ease with which DevOps teams can continuously roll out micro-services and interacting, reusable components as applications.
As a result, the number of organisations prioritising the adoption of container technologies will continue to increase in 2020.
According to McAfee's "Advanced Threat Research (ATR)", the rise of targeted ransomware has created a growing demand for compromised corporate networks. This demand is met by criminals who specialise in penetrating corporate networks and sell complete network access in one go.
"For 2020, we predict the targeted penetration of corporate networks will continue to grow and ultimately give way to two-stage extortion attacks.
"In the first stage, cybercriminals will deliver a crippling ransomware attack, extorting victims to get their files back. In the second stage, criminals will target the recovering ransomware victims again with an extortion attack but this time they will threaten to disclose the sensitive data stolen before the ransomware attack," McAfee said in a statement.
A very viable threat vector will emerge and adversaries will begin to generate deepfakes to bypass facial recognition, the cyber security firm predicted.
It will be critical for businesses to understand the security risks presented by facial recognition and other biometric systems and invest in educating themselves of the risks as well as hardening critical systems.
Container-based Cloud deployments are growing in popularity due to the ease with which DevOps teams can continuously roll out micro-services and interacting, reusable components as applications.
As a result, the number of organisations prioritising the adoption of container technologies will continue to increase in 2020.

1 minute ago
Boult Audio’s net profit declines by 37 pc in FY24, revenue up 41 pc

2 minutes ago
AIIMS Bhubaneswar launches Robotic Knee Replacement facility

6 minutes ago
Social Justice department brainstorms issues affecting beggars, homeless

8 minutes ago
Pilot plant of fortified rice kernels launched at CSIR-NIIST

9 minutes ago
Countrymen collectively, strongly fought malaria: PM Modi

10 minutes ago
Kerala Health Minister seeks report on why she was not invited to cathlab inauguration

11 minutes ago
Just 3 minutes of moderate activity daily can boost heart health in elderly

15 minutes ago
GI-PKL 2025: Tamil Lioness, Punjabi Tigress reach semis as battle of top-four intensifies

17 minutes ago
Kalinga Super Cup: High-flying Blasters face Mohun Bagan, Goa wary of Punjab in quarters

19 minutes ago
APRC 2025: Karna Kadur, Musa Sherif lead in Indu Chandhok Memorial South India Rally

20 minutes ago
Athletics: Warholm eyes world record at Diamond League in Xiamen

22 minutes ago
2nd Asian Yogasana Sport Championship inaugurated in New Delhi

23 minutes ago
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen falls in Madrid Open round of 64