Ransomware Attacks: The Alarming Rise of Legitimate Software Misuse

Using Legitimate Software: A New Ransomware Trend That Should Not Go Unnoticed

The Trending Abuse of Legitimate Software Tools

Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly evolving their strategies to infiltrate networks and steal data. One of the latest trends in ransomware attacks is the heavy use of legitimate software tools. While ransomware groups such as Noberus, Royal, and AvosLocker tend to get a lot of attention, there has been little focus on the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) these groups use in attacks before deploying ransomware.

The preference for legitimate software is borne out of a desire for stealthiness on the part of the attackers. By leveraging legitimate software tools, attackers can remain hidden and achieve their goals on a victim network without being discovered. Furthermore, this tactic makes attribution of an attack more difficult, and lowers the barriers to entry, meaning that less-skilled hackers can still conduct disruptive attacks.

Ransomware perpetrators commonly use remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools like AnyDesk, Atera, TeamViewer, and ConnectWise. These tools are frequently used by IT departments in organizations of all sizes, making them an attractive target for hackers.

The Importance of Vigilance and Visibility

Legitimate tools and infrastructure used maliciously present a particular challenge for both defenders and organizations. A no-holds-barred approach, such as blocking the service or tool, does not work in these kinds of cases. Defenders, therefore, need to be more vigilant and have a comprehensive view of their network to know what software is installed on their system.

To reduce the risk of misuse of legitimate software, organizations should improve their visibility and use a security solution that can detect and analyze suspicious behavior. Organizations should implement the least privilege principle, where user permissions are kept to a minimum level, and build a culture of security where everyone is on the lookout for any behavior that might occur.

The Growing Importance of Security Measures

As cybercriminals shift their focus towards exploiting legitimate software, the need for stronger security measures is more essential than ever. Organizations must adopt a more proactive approach to security rather than just detecting, blocking, and deleting malicious files. Software security solutions that use machine learning algorithms, behavioral analysis, and anomaly detection can help detect and stop ransomware attacks that use legitimate software in malicious ways.

Conclusion

Organizations must be aware that hackers are finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in legitimate software tools. They must closely analyze their network, be vigilant about unusual activity, and implement least privilege principles. With a culture of security and the right security measures in place, organizations can protect their assets against ransomware groups who exploit legitimate software.