Ransomware isn’t an isolated, potential cyber threat—it's like a living organism that can shapeshift with multiple strains, tactics, and targets. The cybercriminals behind ransomware attacks run these operations like a business, and are motivated to keep up profits at any cost. Their tactics range from quickly locking down an entire network to slowly leaking sensitive data over time; different types of ransomware pose different threats in their own unique ways.
In this guide, we break down the most common types of ransomware, explain how they work, and outline how businesses can stay ahead of their malicious ways.
Like a thief walking around a parking lot checking for a conveniently unlocked car, cybercriminals are always looking for vulnerabilities. Over the years, many different types of ransomware attacks have popped up, each with its own execution plan.
Generally speaking, the most common types of ransomware attacks include:
It is well known in the cybersecurity community that crypto ransomware is the most common type cybercriminals use.
Crypto ransomware is the perfect combination of powerlessness and pressure. Cybercriminals go in, use strong encryption (asserting power over the victim), and can put immense pressure on the victim until the ransom is paid. It’s simple and specifically targets valuable data, immediately impacting the business.
A variant strain of crypto ransomware is double extortion, which uses the same “hostage situation” of encrypting data. The main difference is that instead of deleting valuable data like crypto, hackers’ favorite scare tactic for getting people to pay the ransom is the threat of leaking sensitive data.
The distinction between these types can sometimes blur, as many modern ransomware attacks use multiple tactics to pressure victims.
Detecting ransomware before it can take hold is crucial, and cybersecurity experts use several methods to stay a step ahead of threat actors. These are the ways you can detect ransomware:
A layered approach that includes some or all of the above is the best way to defend against ransomware. This way, both known and unknown threats can be quickly caught and crushed.
You can’t talk about ransomware without talking about malware, as ransomware is just a glimpse of the larger malware picture. Malware attacks come in various forms, and ransomware is just one of the many threats businesses should be aware of.
While each threat operates differently, they share a common goal: exploiting vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and inflict damage. Oftentimes the data collected will be sold on the dark web by data brokers, and can ultimately be leveraged by ransomware gangs to gain access to victims’ networks.
Huntress takes a proactive, human-led approach to stopping ransomware attacks before they can cause harm. With 24/7 threat monitoring, a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts continuously watches over your endpoints for any signs of suspicious activity.
Through proactive threat hunting and advanced behavioral analysis, Huntress can spot ransomware tactics before they can be executed. If a ransomware strain is detected, automated containment isolates infected endpoints to prevent further spread. Additionally, the Huntress Security Operations Center (SOC) goes beyond merely flagging threats—it actively helps eliminate them and strengthens defenses to ensure the attack doesn’t happen again.
As ransomware attacks evolve daily, relying on outdated defenses just isn’t enough anymore. Huntress’ comprehensive, human-led strategy ensures that threats are halted before they escalate into a full-blown crisis.
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