Infographic: The 8 Scariest Stats About Ransomware

Ransomware is spreading across the digital landscape like wildfire—and it’s not slowing down any time soon. From school districts and hospitals to small businesses and large enterprises, ransomware does not discriminate when it comes to whose valuable files it holds ransom.

From January to March alone, ransomware cybercriminals extorted an astounding $209 million from businesses. Estimates suggest that the cybercrime will reach $1 billion by the end of the year, making this the year that ransomware holds America hostage.

According to the FBI, ransomware criminals demand between $200 and $5,000, on average, before allowing users to regain access to their data. But payouts as high as $17,000 have been reported, and it’s possible that even larger sums exist but have not been reported.

This current onslaught of ransomware has led many businesses to tighten up their cybersecurity measures in order to prevent an attack. Unfortunately, it has also shown cybercriminals how to maneuver around new defenses and modify their methods in order to continue their scam.

Earlier versions of ransomware were mostly seen in phishing emails, as explained by security insider Stephen Brown. But now users can be infected simply by clicking on a compromised website. Prevention techniques such as whitelisting and patch management solutions can remove vulnerabilities, and Ivanti Antivirus can also be used to block ransomware.

Don’t let your business fall prey to these rampant cyberattacks. Learn how Ivanti ensures your user environment is stable and secure, helping you to reduce risk and extend protection and control.