It may be sufficient for an employee to open an attachment with malicious code from an e-mail message.
Once the hackers have entered a system, it can then go fast.
The organization that has been hacked is locked out of its own systems and requires a ransom to get the key back.
- No preparations have been made for this scenario.
When all computers are encrypted and nothing works, you have two choices.
One is to go back to pen and paper, and the other is to try to get your IT system back.
The average amount that hacked companies choose to pay is globally at 10 to 20 million US dollars, according to Murray.
- It is difficult to prepare for this type of crime, says Marcus Murray.
- It is new, only three or four years ago it was very unusual to be hit by a ransomware attack.
Hear more in the clip above.