Hackers use different ways to get past security systems and companies’ networks. Usually, their goal is to mess up their operations, steal information, and make money. Ransomware and DDOS are popular hacking tools. Both attacks should be handled seriously. They work differently yet are also similar.
What Are Ransomware Attacks?
When these attacks happen, the files on an organization’s network are encrypted, making them useless until the attackers are paid a ransom. Before the files can be encrypted, the hackers have to get into the system. They can do this by sending phishing emails to people who work for the company. The network will become infected with ransomware as soon as one of the employees clicks on one of the malicious links contained in the mail. All businesses need to make sure their employees are ready for phishing attacks. Once ransomware is on a system, all companies must stop because files won’t be accessible.
The company that got ransomware could hire a cybersecurity expert to get rid of it, but that could take a long time. Most of the time, the company would rather pay off the hacker so that business can return to normal. Most of the time, the hacker is paid in crypto so that no one can find out who they are. Unfortunately, hackers are getting better as new technologies emerge, making it harder to keep them in check. Because of this, businesses need to be proactive and take concrete steps to reduce the risk of ransomware attacks.
What are DDOS Attacks?
DDOS attacks happen when a hacker sends too much traffic to an organization’s server, making it impossible for users to access files and services on the network. This act also makes it hard for businesses to run and can cause them to lose a lot of money.
DDOS attackers can do what they do for many different reasons. Its primary purpose is to hold the business hostage and ask for money before letting go of the network. In other cases, activists or angry former employees may want to make a statement by shutting down the company’s servers.
Attackers who use DDOS sometimes send a note before the attack that says what they want and warns of the attack. If the organization doesn’t pay attention, the attacks will start, and the ransom price will go up the longer the demand is ignored. Some threats of DDOS attacks are meant to scare the organization into paying money to stop an attack that was never going to happen.
How ransomware and a DDOS attack are alike
Even though ransomware and DDOS attacks have different effects on networks, they are similar in some important ways. Here are a few of them:
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Financial Motivation
The main reason for ransomware and DDOS attacks is money. The hackers want cash and are willing to do anything to get it, even destroy businesses. You can stop these attacks by paying off the attackers or hiring a cybersecurity expert who can stop them quickly.
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Unprepared Prey
Most of the time, people don’t see either attack coming. Even if the bad guys get a note ahead of time, they won’t know when a hacker plants malware until the whole system is infected. The only way to stop these attacks is for the company to have measures to prevent all cyber threats.
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Disrupts Operations
When both attacks work, they make it hard for the company to do business as usual. This disruption costs the company money and can ruin its reputation in the right situation. Even after hackers stop their attacks, the damage they can do may still be there.
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Uncertainty of the End
These attacks are started from places far away, and the ransom is paid in cryptocurrency. Because of this, it is hard to find the people behind the attacks, and no one knows when they will stop. Even if the hackers are paid, they might not control what they are doing. If they do, they might come back to ask for more cash.
Differences That Make Ransomware and DDOS Attacks Very Differently
As was already hinted, the two cyberattacks use different methods. Here are more details that show how different they are:
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Operating Mechanism
Ransomware encrypts the files on a network, making it impossible to access, move, or back up those files. The files could only be opened with an encryption key, and the hacker wouldn’t give it back until he got his money. On the other hand, DDOS attacks will flood the network with traffic, making it impossible to use.
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Degree of Impact
Ransomware attacks are more brutal because the original encryption key is needed to recover the files. The attacker might run out of the resources they need to keep the attack going, so the DDOS attack doesn’t last as long.
Endnote
Even though they look different, ransomware and DDOS attacks are terrible and expensive to deal with. Companies can help stop these kinds of attacks by taking the proper steps. This is because paying the ransom fees is more costly than investing in good cybersecurity infrastructure that would have kept hackers away.
