Ransomware attacks are undoubtedly the most damaging cyberthreats today. They can lock up home users' and organizations' databases within minutes, leading to catastrophic consequences, not only financial but also reputational and emotional.

These cyberattacks have doubled after COVID-19 hit the world, and hackers target not only large enterprises and government agencies but also SMBs and home users. Years ago, the landscape was entirely different, where prime targets of ransomware attacks were only high-profit companies. Cybercriminals now use different approaches to get unauthorized access to your endpoints and press the detonation button at the most unexpected moment. Subsequently, you see a screen providing instructions to regain access to your database by paying ransom or losing all of your files for good.

This digital extortion scheme — where attackers lock victims out of their data and demand payment — has become so profitable that it's spawned an entire criminal industry.

In 2024 alone, the Akira ransomware group, which specifically targeted over 350 organizations globally, generated an estimated $42 million in ransom payments, according to a report by Dark Atlas. The method used by cybercriminals is simple yet very effective: they use stolen credentials to infiltrate different networks that rely on basic or single-factor authentication for security. Once they penetrated the victim's devices, they deployed file-encrypting malware, locking up their critical data and demanding a ransom for its release.

This guide explores in detail what ransomware is, which are the most frequent and harmful types of ransomware, how the infection spreads across your devices, and, most importantly, how to protect yourself or your organization's network from becoming the next victim of ruthless cybercriminals. So let's waste no more time and get to work.

Users and organizations that fall victim to a ransomware attack face the difficult choice of paying the demanded ransom and regaining access to their files or losing all the information for good. This type of malware is a never-ending growing threat, generating billions of dollars in payments to cybercriminals while causing devastating damage to businesses, home users, and governmental organizations.

Did you know that not all ransomware attacks work the same way? Understanding the distinct types of ransomware is essential for implementing effective defenses to protect your most valuable digital assets—your data. Let's examine these variants in detail.

Crypto ransomware is, without any doubt, the most common type, which targets your highly important files and documents, with the main goal of encrypting them and restricting access to your data. In this scenario, your system continues to operate, but your files remain locked behind strong encryption. The attackers use a sophisticated encryption key to scramble your data, and they prevent access until you pay the ransom and receive the separate decryption key.

Locker ransomware, as the name suggests, locks you out of your device(s) entirely, meaning that you have no access to your system operations, applications, or files. This type of ransomware attack is designed to prevent users from conducting any operations, creating immediate operational paralysis.

Ransomware groups like Akira that we mentioned earlier now employ a double-extortion strategy: they not only encrypt your files, but they also steal your sensitive data before encryption and threaten to publish it on dark web marketplaces if you do not pay the demanded ransom. This tactic nullifies the protection that even perfect backups would provide, as you're still vulnerable to data exposure.

Nowadays, every person has a smartphone in their pocket; even our kids have one from an early age. This trend made cybercriminals shift their focus to targeting these devices. Mobile ransomware exploits vulnerabilities in our smartphones' operating systems or third-party apps. It installs malicious code (applications) that can lock your screen, encrypt your photos, messages and contact list, or even take control of your camera and microphone. Of course, the main goal is to pay the demanded amount to the cybercriminals to regain access to your cherished and sensitive data.

Perhaps most concerning is the rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS), which has industrialized cybercrime by making sophisticated attacks accessible to criminals with minimal technical skills. RaaS providers offer complete ransomware packages—including the malware software, encrypted file recovery mechanisms, and even payment platforms—through subscription or profit-sharing models.

Every home user and business owner has asked himself how ransomware manages to infiltrate even seemingly well-protected systems. We all want to equip our devices with the best possible ransomware protection, spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and still, there is a risk of becoming a victim to threat actors. How is that possible? The truth is that ransomware attacks don't magically appear in your organization's network — they exploit known and unknown software vulnerabilities or use social engineering tactics to step foot on your devices. To clarify things, we will now explore how exactly ransomware spreads.

It is well known that the most common entry point for ransomware remains deceptively simple: your email inbox. Ransomware attackers design hyper-convincing emails that pretend to come from trusted sources—your bank, colleagues, delivery companies, and different service providers. Why? Because they know that most of us will immediately open the email and make that one simple mistake of downloading the attached file (invoice or other type of document) or providing personal information.

These messages typically create urgency ("Your account will be suspended" or "Your order cannot be delivered because of missing shipping details"). Once you execute it, the malicious code begins encrypting your files in the background, commonly spreading across accessible network drives before you see a screen with a demand ransom message.

Drive-by downloads occur when you visit malicious websites — sometimes even legitimate sites that have been hacked and can exploit vulnerabilities in your web browser or operating systems. Simply engaging in routine web browsing can lead to infection when these sites exploit vulnerabilities in outdated browsers.

The moment you land on these pages, the ransomware silently downloads and installs without your knowledge or consent. By the time you notice encrypted files on your system, the infection has already spread throughout and encrypted all accessible directories.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is neglecting to update your operating system and third-party applications. Cybercriminals persistently target outdated systems to exploit software vulnerabilities, gain unauthorized access, and deploy devastating ransomware attacks.

Software vendors constantly release updates to close critical flaws and protect your devices from falling victim to cybercriminals. Never underestimate their importance; keep your systems up to date to improve your security posture and minimize the chance of experiencing that unpleasant feeling of staring at a screen with instructions for paying a ransom.

Remote access tools like RDP have become favorite targets for hackers. By using brute force attacks or purchasing stolen credentials from dark web markets, they gain access to your systems using seemingly legitimate credentials. Once inside, they disable security controls, harvest additional credentials, and deploy ransomware across your organization's network. Many victims never realize their remote access point was the initial breach point until it's too late to regain access without a decryption key.

Infected USB drives, external hard drives, and even smartphones can introduce ransomware when connected to your computer. Some sophisticated attacks specifically target air-gapped systems (those not connected to the internet) through compromised storage devices and removable media. The ransomware lies dormant until connected to a target system, then activates and begins encrypting files—creating a significant challenge for recovery if proper isolation protocols aren't followed.

Ransomware attacks have skyrocketed in the last decade; nobody is immune to these nasty and destructive attacks. However, the good news is that following the below strategies can prevent ransomware attacks and significantly reduce your overall security risk before cybercriminals compromise your systems.

Without cybersecurity tools, you can't protect your business from ransomware attacks and other malware types that constantly threaten your systems. Your car won't start without fuel, right? Similarly, you can't stop cyberthreats without the right tools.

These solutions can make the difference between business continuity and a devastating breach that leaves you scrambling to recover your data or facing the difficult choice of whether to pay cybercriminals or lose your database forever.

When selecting antivirus or anti-malware software, look for solutions that feature machine learning and heuristic analysis capabilities, as these are most effective at identifying malicious software before it executes. These tools should offer real-time protection against file encryption attempts.

The most effective anti-ransomware tools update continuously to keep pace with evolving cyberthreats. For enhanced protection, choose a solution that provides automatic backups, ensuring you won't lose your files under any circumstances.

Endpoint protection platforms have become essential for every successful organization. They consolidate multiple security features into a unified management console, giving your security team visibility across all devices in your organization's network. These platforms include data exfiltration prevention—crucial as ransomware groups increasingly steal sensitive information before encrypting your systems. Additionally, they protect cloud environments and can automatically isolate compromised data and user accounts before infection spreads through your entire network.

Endpoint protection tools also:

Advanced firewalls paired with intrusion detection systems provide critical protection by monitoring network traffic patterns. These systems can immediately disconnect suspicious connections and block command-and-control communication essential for ransomware operations.

Behavior-based detection technologies recognize patterns associated with encryption activities, stopping attacks even when the specific variant is previously unknown. This is especially important as many ransomware variants emerge each month with increasingly sophisticated evasion techniques.

Remember that technology alone isn't enough—properly configure your security software and keep it updated. Many organizations fall victim not because they lack tools, but because they haven't enabled advanced protection features or properly integrated their solutions. Additionally, train your staff to work effectively with these security tools and regularly test your defenses through simulated attacks to identify weaknesses before threat actors do.

When implemented correctly, these cybersecurity solutions create an effective security strategy that significantly reduces your attack surface. They provide the visibility and control needed to protect your critical assets from even the most determined ransomware attackers and position your organization to better defend against future attacks.

No organization is immune to ransomware, but some are more vulnerable than others. While high-profile attacks on large corporations make headlines, cybercriminals systematically target specific industries that store highly sensitive information on thousands of individuals. This information can be lately sold on dark web marketplaces or used for different financial cybercrimes. Below we will discuss which organizations should be most concerned about their security.

Small and mid-sized businesses were considered to be out of the radar of the hackers, but things have changed recently. These organizations face a perfect storm of vulnerabilities:

Many business owners still believe that their companies are "too small to target." In reality, ransomware attackers often target these exact organizations because they offer the least resistance. Without properly managed service providers handling their security, small businesses frequently lack essential security features like network segmentation and comprehensive endpoint protection, making them a "sweet bite" for the hackers seeking quick payoffs.

On the other hand, large enterprises are well known for being the most targeted by cybercriminals. They store tons of sensitive information and literally are perceived as valuable targets by hackers. Although they invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in security tools and strategies, create secure passwords for each of their employees, and back up data frequently, they forget one essential fact. Even a single unpatched device can lead to a devastating breach, resulting in financial and reputational damage and weeks to months of recovery time.

In conclusion, large enterprises remain hackers' prime targets, though SMBs increasingly face similar threats.

Certain sectors face dramatically higher risks due to their combination of valuable data and critical operations.

The shift to remote work has significantly expanded the attack surface for most organizations. Home networks rarely have the same level of protection as corporate environments, while personal devices accessing organizations' servers frequently lack properly configured security software. Remote access technologies—especially Remote Desktop Protocol—remain primary entry points for ransomware variants. Without strict user permissions and monitoring of user accounts, a single compromised remote worker can provide the foothold attackers need to launch a devastating attack.

To protect your critical assets, prioritize security based on your specific risk profile and implement multi-layered defenses with particular attention to remote access points. Remember that prevention requires continuous vigilance as threat actors constantly evolve their tactics.

After the COVID-19 crisis, many companies embraced the BYOD policy and sent their employees to work from home. This shift opened Pandora's box, and cybercriminals, unfortunately, took advantage of it, as compromising employees' personal devices became significantly easier. Using home and public Wi-Fi networks in combination with outdated third-party and operating system software contributed to countless successful cyberattacks, data breaches, and skyrocketing ransomware gang profits.

The only way to minimize the chance of falling victim to these threats is to follow a strict cybersecurity strategy, including:

Install endpoint detection tools on all company- and employee-owned devices to monitor for suspicious activities. These tools have proven highly effective in detecting malicious code execution and blocking ransomware infection attempts before they spread and cause catastrophic consequences for your company.

Furthermore, enforce automatic updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems and applications, as these remain primary targets for hackers. Also, educate your employees about the importance of keeping their web browsers and other software up-to-date, as outdated applications contain known vulnerabilities that cybercriminals exploit.

Another critical aspect is implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized software installation. This will result in a significantly reduced likelihood of employees accidentally installing malicious software from untrustworthy sources.

To strengthen your organization’s security posture, require VPN usage for all network connections to your corporate resources. Furthermore, configure your VPN and all essential applications used for business-critical operations with multi-factor authentication to prevent credential-based attacks, even if stolen data includes employee passwords.

Additionally, consider implementing a zero-trust security model that continuously verifies user identity and device health before granting access to resources. This prevents lateral movement within your network if a single device becomes compromised.

Last but not least, monitor network traffic patterns for signs of cyber threats and unusual access attempts. Intrusion detection systems can alert your security team to potential breach attempts before they succeed.

Deploy DLP solutions that can identify and protect important data and sensitive information regardless of location. These tools monitor data flows and can prevent unauthorized transfer of critical data.

• Train employees to recognize phishing attempts and malicious sites that often serve as initial infection vectors. Effective security awareness training significantly reduces human-error breaches, which account for most successful attacks targeting remote workers.

Ransomware and other malware threats constantly stalk our systems, searching for weak spots to infect our devices. The best protection comes through combining reliable anti-ransomware software with employee habits that promote cyber hygiene and awareness of their responsibilities when working with your systems.

You might wonder, what anti-ransomware software can provide peace of mind, ensuring the best possible protection regardless of circumstances? The answer is right in front of you. Acronis True Image is an all-in-one solution that equips you with everything needed to respond promptly to the countless cyberthreats. What do we mean by saying all-in-one solution?

By choosing Acronis True Image, you receive the most reliable cyber protection software on the market, preventing data loss, minimizing as much as possible the chance of experiencing a successful cyberattack, and enabling one-click recovery functionality.

Whether you're a home user protecting valuable information and precious memories or a business owner securing critical data, Acronis True Image delivers the reliability and peace of mind you deserve. Meaning that whatever situation arises, you won't lose a single file or face devastating financial and reputational damage. It simply protects you from the unexpected.

Today ransomware prevention relies heavily on artificial intelligence and machine learning to protect your endpoints from nasty and destructive cyberthreats. These technologies analyze specific patterns and behaviors alongside examining known malicious code signatures used in traditional antivirus programs. When suspicious activity occurs, the system detects it immediately, providing you with effective protection not only against known but also zero-day threats.

AI-powered tools monitor your system(s) in real time, learning what's normal for your network and alerting you when anomalous behavior is detected. They have proven their efficiency in detecting encryption attempts and automatically blocking them before they spread and cause severe damage to your organization. The advantage is that this happens in the background while you work, meaning no more countless hours of waiting for scheduled scans or updates to feel protected.

What is even more impressive is that these systems are being improved on a daily basis as they learn from global threat intelligence. This means that detected attacks on protected systems help strengthen the defenses of the entire network over time. With ransomware gangs constantly changing tactics, this adaptive and innovative approach provides the dynamic protection your organization needs.

Ransomware is a specific type of malware. While malware is any malicious software designed to harm your system (like viruses, worms, or spyware), ransomware specifically encrypts your files and demands payment for their release. Think of malware as the category and ransomware as a specialized threat within it. Ransomware is particularly dangerous because it directly targets your ability to access your own data, creating immediate pressure to pay the attackers.

Yes, you're vulnerable as a personal user, though in different ways. Businesses make attractive targets due to their financial resources, but personal users often have weaker security measures. Your personal photos, financial documents, and digital memories are irreplaceable. Without proper backups, you might feel more desperate to pay a ransom. Attackers know this and frequently target home users through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised websites.

First, disconnect your device from the internet and all networks to prevent the ransomware from spreading. Take photos of ransom notes with another device for evidence. Report the attack to local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Don't pay the ransom immediately—consult with security experts first. If you have backups, check if they're intact. Contact your IT support or a cybersecurity professional who specializes in ransomware recovery.

Yes, you can, but not always. Check for shadow copies or previous versions of your files in your operating system. Some ransomware variants have free decryption tools available online—visit the No More Ransom project to see if yours is among them. If you maintain regular backups that weren't connected during the attack, you can restore your files from there. Remember that paying the ransom offers no guarantee of recovery and funds criminal operations. Your best protection is having secure, disconnected backups before an attack occurs.

Conclusion

Every organization's biggest fear is falling victim to a ransomware attack because it can cause unpredictable damages both for the company and its clients. These attacks are capable of wiping out years of hard work and ruining your business in a matter of hours. The most concerning fact is that even if you pay the ransom to regain access to your systems, there is no guarantee that your sensitive information won't be put on sale on dark web marketplaces or that you will receive the decryption key.

Ransomware gangs continue to torture home users and business organizations with the main purpose of gaining personal financial benefits without being caught. The uncomfortable truth is that no one can feel safe today, but as we mentioned earlier, you can take actions to improve your security posture and develop cyber hygiene habits that can minimize as much as possible the chance of experiencing a successful ransomware attack.

First and foremost, equipping your home computer or the countless endpoints in your organization with reliable anti-ransomware is a must. Next, you must be aware of the risks hidden behind opening a suspicious email, downloading free software, or visiting unverified websites. And last, but not least, do not underestimate the power of the 3-2-1 backup strategy, since it serves as a life-saving option when the worst happens.

Whether you are a home user or a business owner of a large enterprise, invest in reliable security software like Acronis True Image, keep all of your systems current, and educate yourself or your employees about recognizing subtle security indicators that often conceal significant threats. Improving your security posture requires continuous effort and awareness, not just one-time actions.

Take proactive measures to protect your devices rather than leaving your security to chance. This is your one and only chance of keeping ransomware attacks away. Our digital world is like a battlefield, and only those that are equipped with the right arsenal of tools and protection techniques will survive.