As we discussed in our blog exploring Remote Desktop Protocol, ransomware is on the rise, and has been exacerbated by the current work-from-home trend. While the bad guys use many attack vectors to attempt to infiltrate your systems and plant ransomware, the most popular – by far – remains email.

Criminals either use compromised links or infected email attachments to deliver downloaders that install malware on the recipient’s machine, or to establish a foothold on the corporate network.

This initial stage of a compromise can remain undetected for years before maturing into a full-blown ransomware attack. At this stage, it will look to steal valuable data and encrypt files, prior to making a ransom demand that can run into the millions of dollars.