The year is almost coming to a close. With everything happening around the globe at the moment, including the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, even the online world has started to become a dangerous place, especially for multinational corporations and reputable businesses who have become easy targets for online attacks.
Now more than ever, cyberattacks have become more apparent, targeting some of the most prominent organisations worldwide. Online criminals lead a cyberattack by utilising computers to gain access to your network and launch a malicious software to either steal your data or cause a breach in your system.
Keep reading below to find out some of the recent cyberattacks that happened this year and have made a mark not only in the media but in the online world as a whole.
The Software AG Ransomware Attack
Software AG, the second-biggest software company in Germany and the seventh-largest in Europe, experienced an unfortunate cyber threat back in October. The criminals behind the attack released Clop ransomware and demanded a twenty million dollar ransom in exchange.
Due to the severity of the incident, Software AG still hasn’t completely recovered after the ransomware attack affected a portion of their internal system. Luckily, the services they’re providing for their customers, such as their cloud-based solutions, were unaffected.
Despite the attempts to arrange with the attackers, the cybercriminals were relentless. According to Software AG, they are still trying to regain their entire system and database and hope to have everything back to the way it once was.
The Sopra Steria Ransomware Attack
Last October, Sopra Steria, a French IT service firm, became another victim of a ransomware called Ryuk after being identified by Sopra Banking Software, their fintech company. In the past, cybersecurity intelligence was oblivious to the latest version of Ryuk ransomware.
The affected company was only able to respond to the attack after a couple of days, but they were able to contain it only to a portion of their IT framework. Thankfully, after careful investigation, Sopra Steria did not come across any proof stating any leaked data or corresponding damages to their clients.
At present, Ryuk is one of the most inventive ransomware out there for having caused trouble to companies such as EWA, a US defense contractor firm, and Prosegur, a Spanish logistics company. That’s why it’s crucial to initiate the necessary steps and focus on your online brand protection to ensure nothing like this incident ever happens to you.
The Seyfarth Shaw Malware Attack
Seyfarth Shaw LLP is a leading international legal firm located in Chicago that fell prey to a persistent malware attack back in October, which was later recognised as a ransomware attack. According to the company, the cybercrime affected their entire email system.
While there was no proof that the company’s information nor that of their clients were accessed or removed, their systems were found to be encrypted—which caused different problems, nonetheless. Eventually, Seyfarth Shaw got rid of the cyber threats to prevent further damage.
The firm was also quick on its feet to reach out to law enforcement, giving the NBI a head start to initiate their investigation. However, the cybercriminals still haven’t been caught, nor did they ever find out the kind of ransomware used to instigate the felony.
While the development of modern technology continues to bring millions of people countless advantages, it can also have its disadvantages. The best thing you can do for your company or yourself is prioritising your safety and relying on cyber threat intelligence for utmost protection.
Are you looking for digital threat intelligence solutions to keep your company safe? FraudWatch International is a leading online cybersecurity agency that has kept our clients safe worldwide since 2003. We offer online brand protection against phishing, malware, social media, and mobile apps impersonation. Get in touch with us today to secure your future!