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Introduction
Imagine starting the day like any other: you check your emails , open some documents and follow the tasks, and suddenly everything crashes. Your files disappear. A message appears on the screen: Your data has been encrypted and will only be released after a redemption .
This scene, which looks like a movie, became a routine in the real world. According to the Sonicwall Cyber Threat Report 2024 , Sonicwall 's laboratories recorded 317.6 million ransomware , a volume that was only 36% below the historical record, making 2023 as the third worst year ever recorded in volume of attacks.
These numbers are not just to alarm. They reveal how much ransomware has no longer a punctual threat to becoming a constant risk, capable of reaching any business , regardless of the size, industry or location.
This survival manual was created to support companies like yours to anticipate, act with strategy and react safely. Let's understand what is behind this threat and how Skyone be your partner on this journey?
Enjoy the read!
Ransomware : the invisible threat that paralyzes real companies
Ransomware is a type of cyber attack that blocks access to data or systems, and requires payment of a redemption to restore control. In practice, it is as if your company data were placed behind a virtual safe, and the key was in the hands of the criminal.
The purpose of these attacks is not just to steal information, but to cause immediate interruption. Ransomware aims to stop operations, generate chaos and force the company to pay for the resumption of normality
. Payment, usually required in cryptocurrencies, does not always guarantee data return, and often opens doors for new extortion. Unlike threats that act in silence, here the impact is direct, noticeable and urgent . In minutes, what seemed just another day of work becomes a crisis scenario.
A “digital kidnapping” that became a lucrative deal for criminals
Today, ransomware operates under a model that resembles technology startups : scalable, collaborative and highly profitable. It is the so -called Ransomware AS A Service (RAAS), where groups develop malware and affiliates run it in exchange for a rescue committee.
In 2024, the rescue demands reached average amounts of US $ 5.2 million , according to Mandiant . In more extreme cases, the amount required exceeded $ 70 million.
These numbers show that we are not facing makeshift attacks , but operations with focus, method and expressive financial return.
Side Effects: What an attack can cause in practice
When ransomware hits, the problem is not limited to what has been encrypted. The company deals with unplanned stops, strategic data loss, legal risks and reputational impacts - all at the same time .
According to Varonis , ransomware attack causes an average of 24 days of operational inactivity. That is, it is three weeks without full operation, which is enough to compromise deliveries, wear out the relationship with customers and cause difficult internal ruptures to circumvent.
Now that we understand the size and logic of this threat, it's time to deepen. In the next topic, we will explore the main types of ransomware and what differentiates them in terms of risk and impact. After all, knowing these variations is essential to recognize vulnerabilities and act more accurately.
Who they are: the types of ransomware most used by attackers
Ransomware may seem a single type of threat, but it is actually an umbrella that houses a variety of malicious strategies and codes . Each of these variations is designed to maximize impact, make the response difficult and, especially, to guarantee financial return to attackers.
ransomware behavior within the network, is the first step in setting up an effective defense. In this section, let's look at the three most critical aspects : how the attacks come in, how they unfold, and what we learn from emblematic cases.
Common infection vectors
Most of the time, attacks do not start with a large safety failure. They take advantage of small breaches , routine behaviors and systems that were forgotten without updating.
Sophos report , ransomware attacks by 2024 explored non -corrected vulnerabilities in software or exhibited systems . Other recurring vectors include emails with malicious attachments, without proper protection remote, leaked credentials and, of course, social engineering.
What do these paths have in common? All are avoidable. And this reinforces an important point: most attacks do not require advanced techniques. They exploit distractions, lack of process and excessive trust in routine.
ransomware attack
Ransomware process . And like every process, it follows well-defined steps , which makes it possible to intercept it before the break point. The most common phases involve:
- Environmental recognition;
- Malware distribution ;
- Remote access and control;
- Lateral movement through the network;
- Encryption and rescue requirement.
This pattern, techtarget analysis , shows how the attack often installs days or weeks before final encryption . And therefore, detecting anomalous signs in the early stages may be the difference between an isolated incident and an operational collapse.
Many attacks are only perceived in the final stage, when the data is already inaccessible. But with visibility and monitoring , there are real chances to stop the attack before that.
Examples of notorious attacks
Some attacks mark the story not only by scale, but by the way they have widened weaknesses that many prefer to ignore. What begins with improper access can become global news as well as direct impact on the daily life of millions of people.
That's exactly what happened to Wannacry in 2017 . A ransomware , based on a known and unofficial failure, spread over 150 countries and paralyzed over 300,000 machines in a few days. Hospitals, transport, private companies. Losses exceeded $ 4 billion, and even today, the episode is a reference on the cost of neglect.
Four years later, the colonial Pipeline , responsible for almost half of the US coast of the US east coast, had to suspend his operations because of a Darkside group attack. The event caused shortages in 17 states, led to the payment of US $ 4.4 million in rescue and mobilized the FBI itself.
In Brazil, in 2020, the STJ also entered this list. For a week, the Superior Court of Justice had its systems encrypted, sessions interrupted and thousands of inaccessible documents. It was a tough reminder: not even such important institutions are immune when controls fail.
These episodes are different in geography, sector and scale. But everyone has something in common : they have shown that a catastrophic failure is not needed for ransomware to find space. Often, an ignored detail is enough and the absence of a real response plan.
So in the next topic, we will leave the examples aside and look into the operation: Where does ransomware enter, and what behaviors or decisions open the doors to risk?
Basic script not to fall into the trap
Speaking of ransomware may sound distant, but the reality is that most attacks begin simply and predictably . No invader needs superpowers to find open doors.
We can say that preventing is not about putting padlocks in everything, but about making the basics consistently . And that is precisely what many companies cannot maintain. Fortunately, it has long been done now, starting with attitudes.
- Keep your systems with both feet in the present : Detated software are like broken showcases: they draw attention and expose the most valuable. According to CYBERSecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ) , a significant portion of the attacks explore known failures, those that already have available correction but have not yet been applied;
- Too much access is an invitation open to damage : not everyone needs to see everything. Ensuring that each user only access what it needs is a way to contain the damage if something gets out of control. It is the old logic: the lower the scope of the error, the lower the impact of the incident;
- Backup can't just be a formality : it is not enough to back up , you need to know if it works. Copies should be encrypted, stored outside the main network and tested frequently. Without this, the risk is to find out too late that “plan B” was also kidnapped;
- Security needs to be part of the routine, not exception : investing in tools is essential. But creating security culture is what supports everyday protection. Reinforce good practices, promote realistic training and treat errors such as learning opportunities, not just as flaws;
- Do accompanies before the problem appears on your screen : Continuous monitoring allows you to detect strange patterns before they become crises. Solutions that automate alerts and answers help anticipate suspicious movements, even outside business hours.
Taking these measures does not mean that your business is immune. But it will be more prepared, more attentive and less vulnerable to the most common traps. What if, even with all this, does the attack happen? This is exactly what we will approach in the next topic.
If the attack has already happened: how to react with intelligence?
When the ransomware reaches, the clock starts to count - and every minute it matters. At this time, it is no use acting on instinct or despair. What defines the actual impact of the attack is not only the invasion itself, but the way your company responds in the early hours.
Take a deep breath and follow a clear plan can make a difference between a controlled crisis and a long -term disaster. Below, we bring the three fundamental movements that should guide the immediate answer:
- Isolate the problem and trigger experts : Once the attack is identified, isolate affected machines from the network, temporarily disable hits, and avoid any restoration attempt without technical support. Pretty interventions may aggravate damage or delete important clues. Preserve records, logs , and suspicious files: They can be crucial to the investigation. Quickly trigger the internal security team or a specialized partner;
- Recovering what is possible with safely : With the controlled environment, it's time to understand what can be recovered. This includes restoring systems from backups , revalidating access and monitoring new invasion attempts. Prioritize critical areas and make sure the attack has not left open doors for new offensive;
- Communicate responsibly : Transparency is an ally. Customers, suppliers, partners, and authorities may need to be notified, especially when there is evidence of data leakage or legal impact. Clear and aligned communication helps to preserve confidence. And, if necessary, involve legal support to evaluate specific obligations, such as those provided by LGPD (General Data Protection Law).
Reacting with intelligence does not mean improvising , but having preparation, quick access to the right information and reliable partners next to it. And that's where Skyone . Next, we show how we operate to protect companies throughout the process cycle. Check it out!
How skyone acts in protection against ransomware
Ransomware does not fight with generic promises, but with solid architecture, well -defined processes and data -oriented decisions . That's why, at Skyone, security is not an isolated feature: it is at the center of everything we deliver as a platform.
Our role goes beyond protecting data. We operate to ensure the continuity of operations , strengthen digital resilience and expand visibility about what really matters. From cloud infrastructure to access control and application governance, we build solutions focused on preventing failures, responding agility and avoiding recurrence.
We know that each company lives a unique reality, and you can't protect what is not understood. Therefore, our work begins by listening, diagnosing and co-creating with each client a practical, tailor and sustainable approach.
Want to talk to those who understand cloud, legacy and safety systems with depth? Talk to one of our Skyone experts and we will explore together the best way to the reality of your business!
Conclusion
Throughout this manual, we have seen that ransomware is an operational reality that requires preparation. Understanding how it acts, recognizing signs and establishing consistent prevention practices is not a competitive differential, but the new minimum standard of digital maturity .
Each unknown vulnerability, each process without review, every data without clear protection can be the weak link that makes room for a crisis . And in the face of increasingly coordinated and sophisticated attacks, acting with strategy is no longer optional.
If this content has helped you see the ransomware more clearly and responsibly, it is worth keeping exploring more about technology! On Skyone 's blog , you will find other texts on safety, cloud , legacy systems and risk management, always with practical focus and future vision. Visit our blog and keep turning information into decision!
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about ransomware
Whether out of curiosity, concern or a recent warning, it is common for the first questions about ransomware to arise urgently. Next, we gathered direct answers to the questions that appear most online search and in conversations between technology, safety and business leaders.
What is ransomware and how does it work?
Ransomware is a type of software malicious that blocks access to integer data or systems and requires a payment (“rescue”) to release access. The attack usually occurs in silent steps, and the sequestration of the data becomes visible only in the final phase, when an extortion message is displayed. Even if the payment is made, there is no guarantee of data recovery, nor that the company will not be attacked again.
ransomware attack ?
Initial signals include unusual slowness, corrupted or renowned files, unauthorized accesses, and security systems alerts. In more advanced phases, rescue messages and total systems blockages appear. Having early monitoring and detection tools can help identify the threat before damage is irreversible.
Paying the rescue ensures data recovery?
No. Even after payment, many attackers do not provide decryptography keys or send corrupted files. In addition, payment can expose the company to new extortions, as it becomes seen as a vulnerable target. The best form of protection remains prevention, backup and incident response plan.
