Over the last few years, ransomware attacks have become one of the most prevalent and expensive forms of cybercrime.
Initially, these attacks involved malicious software that encrypts a victim’s data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attackers.
Today, this tactic has evolved, where ransomware operators in nearly every case first exfiltrate sensitive data and then threaten to publicly expose it if a ransom demand is not paid.
In some cases, attackers are even leveraging the threat of regulatory actions or causing cyber insurance policies to be rendered moot by reporting lapses in security on the part of the victim to regulators and insurers.
In other cases, they may initiate a Denial of Service (DoS) attack to damage the victim’s public image or try to extort third parties like customers or business partners impacted by the data breach. These tactics are used individually or in unison to increase pressure to twist the victim organization’s arm into paying up.
In all cases, the economic impact from ransomware is profound, affecting businesses, governments, and individuals globally. Understanding the economic factors driving ransomware is crucial for developing effective strategies to fight this growing scourge.
RaaS: Mirroring the Legitimate SaaS Models
In mid-2012, the ransomware ecosystem evolved with the introduction of Reveton, the first Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). This revolutionized the cybercrime landscape, making it easier for people with minimal technical skills to commit ransomware attacks. The RaaS model mirrors the legitimate Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, where developers create and maintain the tools and lease them to affiliates in exchange for a share of the profits.
The RaaS ecosystem is made up of specialists like developers, affiliates, access brokers and more, each playing a role. Developers author sophisticated ransomware variants and provide regular updates to ensure their efficacy. Affiliates are the actors who distribute the ransomware through phishing emails, exploit kits, or compromised websites, while access brokers sell access to compromised networks. The top-down hierarchical structures, diversified revenue streams, and businesses functions including customer support have transformed RaaS into highly profitable “organizations.”
The Dark Web is a bustling, underground marketplace for malefactors, where ransomware kits, stolen data, and support services are bought and sold. These marketplaces offer a wide range of tools and services, including customer support for cybercriminals, ensuring that even attackers who are green behind the ears can perpetrate successful ransomware campaigns.
Cybercriminal gangs often operate across borders, leveraging a global network to slip through the nets of law enforcement. They use all possible tools, including compromised servers and anonymizing services, for obfuscation, making it hard for authorities to trace and shut down their operations.
Unfortunately Crime Does Pay
Ransomware attacks are widespread because they promise a maximum reward for minimum effort. Ransom demands range from thousands to millions of dollars, and unfortunately, many victims cough up to regain access to their data and systems quickly. High-profile cases, such as the Colonial Pipeline attack, have seen ransom payments in the multimillion-dollar range.
Carrying out a ransomware attack takes minimal initial investment, particularly when using the RaaS model. Affiliates can start with no upfront cost, paying developers a percentage of the ransom payments they collect. This low barrier to entry adds to the proliferation of these attacks.
Moreover, the ROI for ransomware gangs is exceptionally high. The potential payouts from successful attacks dwarf the costs of developing or renting ransomware. This ROI makes ransomware a compelling business model for criminals, so it is soaring in popularity.
The Digital Currency of Crime
Cryptocurrencies play a central role in ransomware economics by offering anonymity and privacy that traditional payment methods cannot match. Bad actors usually demand payment in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Monero, which are difficult to trace and keep their identities anonymous.
Transactions with crypto are fast and easy, facilitating rapid payment and verification. This speed and simplicity are great for attackers who want to get their hands on the ransom immediately and for victims who wish to restore their operations as soon as possible.
Furthermore, law enforcement faces significant hurdles in tracking and seizing cryptocurrency used for nefarious purposes. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies and the use of anonymizing techniques make it extremely difficult to trace transactions and recover money.
While there have been some successful recovery efforts, such as seizing a portion of the Colonial Pipeline ransom, the money is gone for good in most instances.
Counting the Cost for Companies
Entities hit by ransomware attacks have to pay direct costs, including ransoms and expenses related to recovery and remediation. Even if the ransom is not paid, the costs associated with restoring data from backups and strengthening security can be substantial.
The indirect costs of ransomware attacks are often even more damaging. Downtime and lost productivity during the event and recovery period can severely impact business operations. Additionally, reputational damage and loss of customer trust are immeasurable and have long-term financial consequences that impact the company’s bottom line. In fact, the cost to victims from ransomware attacks is estimated to reach $265 billion (USD) annually by 2031.
The increased frequency and volume of attacks has also seen cybersecurity insurance premiums soar and spending on cybersecurity measures skyrocket. Businesses are investing more in employee training, advanced security tools, and incident response planning to mitigate the risk of future attacks.
Limiting the Financial Fallout
Proactive cybersecurity measures are essential for defending against ransomware. Implementing endpoint and anti-ransomware protection, patch management, and access controls can dramatically reduce the risk of a successful attack. Defenses like data backups can help you limit the impact of ransomware, while resilience and procedure testing can help you effectively recover from an attack and reduce operational disruptions. Finally, employee training and awareness programs are vital in preventing ransomware attacks.
On the other hand, cybersecurity frameworks governing cryptocurrencies and fostering international cooperation are crucial for combating ransomware. Better Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know-Your-Customer (KYC) regulations can help reduce the anonymity of cryptocurrency transactions, while international collaboration can help catch and prosecute these gangs across borders.
A Complex and Evolving Threat
Ransomware is a complex and evolving threat that isn’t going anywhere soon – it’s simply too profitable for threat actors. However, understanding the tactics of the top ransomware groups and the economic dynamics behind this menace can help businesses develop more effective strategies to fight it.
A multi-pronged approach, including strengthening cyber defenses, improving regulations, and raising awareness, is crucial to mitigating the risk and impact of ransomware.
About the author
Kirsten Doyle has been in the technology journalism and editing space for nearly 24 years, during which time she has developed a great love for all aspects of technology, as well as words themselves. Her experience spans B2B tech, with a lot of focus on cybersecurity, cloud, enterprise, digital transformation, and data centre. Her specialties are in news, thought leadership, features, white papers, and PR writing, and she is an experienced editor for both print and online publications. She is also a regular writer at Bora.
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(SecurityAffairs – hacking, cybercrime)
