Threat Management, Network Security

SC Congress Toronto: The worst of ransomware is yet to come

While only in the wild for two years, ransomware has already earned its notorious reputation, and although the malware's first iterations, such as CryptoLocker, are bad, they might not be the worst of it, said a security panel during SC Magazine's Congress Toronto.

Strategies, such as frequent backups and the use of antivirus software, do effectively mitigate some of the risk, the panel said, but in the coming years, it's possible that new techniques will be needed.

Cloud security, for example, presents a different issue.

All IT professionals can do now is demand security from their cloud vendor, at least until ransomware begins targeting cloud files, the panel said.

Furthermore, said Deepak Rout, Canada practice lead, IT & cybersecurity at Protiviti, ransomware has yet to use tactics to remain dormant on a system or really target specific companies. When this eventually happens, even more new strategies will be needed.

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