What Ransomware Looks Like and How the Attack Works 

Most people hear about ransomware, but very few know what it actually looks like or how it works. A ransomware attack is no joke. These attacks are able to encrypt data and shut down systems until a ransom is paid, and sometimes hackers still destroy the data anyways. For businesses, this is a real threat that usually has to cause damage before any action is taken. That’s why in today’s blog we will discuss what ransomware looks like, how a ransomware attack works, and how to prevent a potential attack. 

What Does a Ransomware Attack Look Like? 

The goal of a ransomware attack is to encrypt files, data, and systems until the victim pays the hackers a ransom. We’ll be analyzing a new ransomware-as-a-service encryptor by a well-known hacker group, the ShinyHunters. When this encryptor infects a device, it immediately begins encrypting files and locks them. 

Folder encrypted by ransomware 

Photo by BleepingComputer 

When opening these files, the data inside is encrypted. Encryption is a random, illegible mess that makes your data unreadable until it is unlocked with a key. That is what the hacking groups ask you to pay for, a key to unlock your own data. 

When trying to double-click the file to open it normally, an error will appear. It may say the file cannot open or is corrupted. This is one of the notable ransomware signs. If you were to view the raw data of the file, here is the encryption you would see from a ransomware attack. 

Files encrypted by a ransomware attack 

Photo by BleepingComputer 

Next, somewhere in your files you will find a ransomware note. In this case, the ShinyHunters hacking group addresses those in leadership or external advisor roles. They say the encryption has affected your infrastructure. Certain assets are inaccessible, and certain data is securely monitored. The goal of these ransomware attack notes is to keep it confidential and resolve the attack as quickly as possible. 

Ransomware note by the ShinyHunters 

Photo by BleepingComputer 

The note says that the victims only have three days to negotiate before the data is made public on a data leak site. Along with the note, the encryptor sets a wallpaper warning the victim and urging them to read the note. 

Ransomware attack wallpaper 

Photo by BleepingComputer 

This example was done in a tested environment, courtesy of BleepingComputer and other researchers. But this does give us a good example of what ransomware looks like. We hear about ransomware attacks, but most of us have never seen what these attacks actually look like, until it’s too late. 

Now that we’ve seen what a ransomware attack may look like, we’ll explain how these attacks spread.  

How a Ransomware Attack Spreads 

A ransomware attack breaks into a system, steals sensitive data, and then encrypts files, so the victim cannot use them. These attackers demand payments to restore access and avoid leaking data.  

But these attacks need to spread somehow. Here are the most common ways businesses are infected by ransomware: 

• Social Engineering: These attacks involve human interaction to obtain or compromise information about an organization or its systems. A phishing email falls under this form of attack. One source estimates that 35% of ransomware attacks are initiated through phishing emails, showing how critical email security is for avoiding these attacks.  

• Supply Chain Attacks: Instead of hackers targeting a company itself, they will often try to infiltrate a provider or vendor. In 2022, supply chain attacks had surpassed the number of malware-based attacks. By compromising potentially weaker third-parties, attackers can deploy a ransomware attack that puts a company’s trusted assets against them. 

• Email Attachments: We mentioned how a phishing email can be a way ransomware is spread. But inside of that email you may see some kind of email attachment. Clicking or downloading this attack could infect a device with ransomware. It builds off social engineering by using a phishing email, but this is specifically discussing the attachment inside. 

A ransomware attack can be devastating for any organization. Now that you know how it works and the real threats behind it, it’s time to focus on strengthening your defenses before an attack happens.  

How to Protect Your Business Before Ransomware Strikes  

A ransomware attack can cripple a company, with the average downtime from ransomware being 27.8 days. But with the right protection in place, you can make sure it never gets the chance. Now that you know what ransomware looks like and how an attack spreads, the next step is securing your organizations defenses. 

At Kirkham IronTech we provide IT and cybersecurity services for organizations that want stronger protection, less risk, and at a predictable cost. Businesses choose us because they want constant oversight that catches threats early, fast support whenever something feels wrong, and reliable data protection that keeps operations running during unexpected events.  

Some companies rely on us to manage their entire IT environment, while others use us to strengthen their existing team. In both cases, the goal is the same. Your business stays productive, secure, and resilient, without the fear of a ransomware attack stopping operations.  

If you want to stay ahead of ransomware and protect your organization before an attack ever begins, now is the time to take action. We are not the company you call after ransomware locks your systems. We are the ones that keep it from happening in the first place.