Kaspersky shockingly finds that ransomware is now targeting back-up data

Kaspersky researchers identified on Thursday a new type of ransomware attack, Network Attached Storage (NAS), which is actively growing in popularity. Targeting NAS poses new risks for back-up data usually stored on devices. With NAS largely perceived as a secure technology, users often remain unprepared for the possibility of infection, putting their data at higher risk.

Encryption ransomware is a malware that applies advanced encryption methods so files cannot be decrypted without a unique key. This leaves the infected device owner stuck with a locked device and a demand to pay a ransom in order to regain access to files. 

While users are typically infected with ransomware via email or exploit-kits planted on websites, the new type of attacks on NAS devices use a different vector. Ransomware operators scan ranges of IP addresses looking for NAS devices accessible via the web. 

Although only web interfaces protected with authentication are accessible, a number of devices have integrated software with vulnerabilities in it. This allows attackers to install a Trojan using exploits, which will then encrypt all data on the devices connected to the NAS.

During the third quarter this year, Kaspersky products detected and repelled encryption ransomware attacks on 229,643 Kaspersky products users, which is 11 percent less than during the same period last year. Although the total number of affected users slightly decreased, the report shows that the number of new encryption ransomware modifications grew from 5,195 in the third quarter of last year to 13,138 in the third quarter this year marking 153 percent growth. This development signals cybercriminal interest in this type of malware as means of enrichment.

At the same time, the infamous WannaCry Trojan family retained first place among the most popular Trojans with over a fifth of attacked users having been targeted with malware identified as belonging to this group. 

The top three most popular verdicts that account for almost half of users attacked by cryptors were Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Wanna (20.96 percent users attacked), Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Phny (20.01 percent) and Trojan-Ransom.Win32.GandCrypt (8.58 percent).