With cyberattacks increasing, the cybersecurity landscape is in a constant state of evolution. And yet, one thing remains consistently true — that ransomware is among the top techniques deployed by today’s hacking community.

And, with 65% of organizations across the globe hit with a ransomware attack in the past year, that’s not likely to change soon.

Ransomware is defined as a virus that locks users out of their system or limits their use of it until a ransom is paid. However, today’s hackers are upping the ante with a new development on the ransomware horizon — Maze.

Maze ransomware doesn’t just hold your data hostage. Its perpetrators have found the perfect way to pressure their victims to pay up, such as:

• Threatening to release details of your security breach and inform the media
• Selling your stolen information on the dark market
• Informing stock exchanges about the loss of information
• Using stolen data to attack your clients and partners or to let them know your company was hacked

Because Maze hackers have a copy of your information, simply having a redundancy to keep your company up and running doesn’t entirely solve the problem if you’re attacked.

How Maze Ransomware Works — And How to Protect Yourself

Since they became active, the hackers behind Maze ransomware have hit several high-profile companies across many industries: telecommunications, healthcare, government, hospitality, media, utilities, education, insurance, legal, finance, imaging technology, and others.

Typically, these attacks are performed using malspam campaigns or RDP brute force attacks, but they have also expanded their repertoire to include vulnerabilities in Pulse VPM and Windows VBScript Engine Remote Code Execution to make inroads into networks.

After they gain access, the hackers get network privileges, move laterally throughout the network, exfiltrate files, then encrypt the data to prevent access.

Knowing that Maze hackers can block access and threaten to release details of the hack means your security protocols must cover you against both potential outcomes.

To safeguard your data against Maze, consider deploying the following:

1. A Comprehensive Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan

Data backup and restoration are essential for keeping your company up and running in the event malicious software shuts down access to your system.

Having automated, regular backups ensure you have one or more copies of your data that you can use to restore your system in the case of malicious activity, accidental deletion of data, database corruption, or issues incurred during a software upgrade.

Disaster recovery ensures that there is a comprehensive plan that outlines processes for regaining access to your network — and data — in the event of a power outage. Disaster recovery generally involved having a redundant system of servers that can operate in the event your primary data center is compromised.

2. Deploy Cybersecurity Best Practices

Following cybersecurity best practices is an essential tool to ensure your network is protected from ransomware attacks and other malicious behavior designed to exploit business vulnerabilities.

Managed Security Solutions (MSS) are techniques and technologies that address your system’s key weak points to secure your data, protect your reputation, and allow you to focus on business goals.

Typically, these include:

• Install and regularly update antivirus software and other safeguards against malware and cyberattacks
• Performing routine maintenance and soft- and hardware patches and upgrades
• Installing firewalls, data encryptions, and access controls
• Continuously monitoring the network for suspicious activity
• Keeping infrastructure up to date with the latest protocols

Having a company with a wide array of security knowledge design and implement security protocols is your best bet in protecting your organization’s sensitive data from incursions like Maze.

Leverage Security by Blue Technologies to Foil Cybercriminals.

At Blue Technologies, we keep our knowledge base current and varied so we are fully able to craft a solid, powerful cybersecurity program for any industry that targets specific needs and goals.

Our team understands the challenges posed by emerging threats and the increasingly sophisticated ways hackers are gaining access to vital information.

Our formula for success includes an in-depth assessment of your current infrastructure and vulnerabilities, followed by the creation, deployment, and maintenance of a plan that includes cybersecurity best practices.

Protect your business from cybercriminals, ransomware attacks, and other malicious activities that lead to compromised data. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant today to get access to state-of-the-art security technology to keep your information safe.