Europol Report: 2017 Top Threat In Cybercrime Epidemic Is Ransomware

Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) 2017 | Europol.europa.eu--excerpts:

"... Ransomware attacks have eclipsed most other global cybercrime threats, with the first half of 2017 witnessing ransomware attacks on a scale previously unseen following the emergence of self-propagating ‘ransomworms’, as observed in the WannaCry and Petya/NotPetya cases. Moreover, while information-stealing malware such as banking Trojans remain a key threat, they often have a limited target profile. Ransomware has widened the range of potential malware victims, impacting victims indiscriminately across multiple industries in both the private and public sectors, and highlighting how connectivity and poor digital hygiene and security practices can allow such a threat to quickly spread and expand the attack vector. The extent of this threat becomes more apparent when considering attacks on critical infrastructure." (emphasis added)

"Cryptocurrencies continue to be exploited by cybercriminals, with Bitcoin being the currency of choice in criminal markets, and as payment for cyber-related extortion attempts, such as from ransomware or a DDoS attack. However, other cryptocurrencies such as Monero, Ethereum and Zcash are gaining popularity within the digital underground." (emphasis added)

Full report (pdf) embed below:

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See also: Europol: Ransomware top threat in 2017 cybercrime 'epidemic' | Reuters.com

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