Ransomware Actors Evolved Their Operations in 2020

In 2020, CrowdStrike Services documented a significant evolution in ransomware tactics used by eCrime adversaries, specifically noting the rise of big game hunting (BGH) ransomware techniques, which involve high-pressure extortion tactics and data-leak extortion. The proliferation of such ransomware has been marked by the emergence and growth of dedicated leak sites where exfiltrated data is auctioned or released incrementally to increase pressure on victims to pay ransoms. The report highlights a trend of collaboration among eCrime groups, exemplified by the "Maze Cartel," and the sharing of sophisticated techniques, such as deploying ELF ransomware to encrypt virtual systems. CrowdStrike anticipates that these tactics will continue to advance, driven by the lucrative nature of ransomware with data extortion, and emphasizes the importance of robust backup strategies, multi-factor authentication, and next-generation endpoint protection to mitigate these threats.

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