Learn About Maze Ransomware
Maze ransomware has attacked and is attacking many organizations across the world. It has been unveiled that the attack operates through an affiliated network.
In the network, attach share proceeds with various groups that deploy maze within organizational networks. The operators are known for taking advantage of the assets in one network.
It has been known that the victim company belonged to the IT field, so there are huge chances that such a breach could be leveraged to attack hundreds of customers of that company.
How Are Organizations Affected?
The following points are the ways and techniques that are used by the attack to affect organizations. These will help you to understand the pattern and the extent up to which it can affect.
- Initial Access
The most common way to enter is through valid credentials; then, it enters the network through internet-facing servers. The server can be an open RDP or a Citrix/VPN.
The credentials are used by guessing a weak password or spear-Phishing. E-mails with spear-Phishing e-mails are used for this.
- Reconnaissance
After entering a machine, the malware begins the scanning of the network to find the vulnerabilities. Various facets are scanned, such as open SMB shares, network configuration, and various active directory attributes.
The scanning could be done through open-source tools like BloodHound, PingCastle, and many more.
- Prevelidges escalations
It can be understood as a type of dance, and attackers move to new machines through this. Once they reach a new machine, a similar movement is applied to get the new credentials and move to a new machine.
- Persistence
The attacker tries to maintain the presence on the network as long as possible. It means that they try to look for backdoors and ways to retake the control. If the malware is removed, still the attacker can have control.
However, the attackers are trying to look for different and more ways to enter the network.
The Root Of The Cause
The highlighting point is that malicious activities take place due to valid user credentials. It uses various ways to steal credentials, such as Mimikatz, for harvesting local credentials.
The reason behind this is weak network security that allows the malicious to take place.
Detection Of The Maze Ransomware
The biggest signal of the attack is when your web browser or desktop gets locked with a message about how you can get access to your system again.
Other than this, you might get a ransom note. You will experience a change in the names of the files, e.g., ecc, ezz, and zzz.
Protection From Maze Ransomware
Though there are ways to counter the attack, you should stay away from the attack. Protection can be ensured through various ways:
- Follow the best practices to avoid the attack.
- Think before you click on an unknown e-mail, senders, and attachment. They might appear to be genuine but can have malicious attachments as well.
- Before entering the sensitive detail, make sure you are not entering it on pop-ups and non-organizational websites.
- Read the web address; it must have HTTPS in the address instead of HTTP.
- Prefer installing the best antivirus in your system. It will detect, block, and remove the malware without delaying it. Further, it will prevent the attack in the future.
- Other than an antivirus, make sure you have the latest and updated security software and operating systems.
- To prevent the loss of your significant data, prefer having a backup on the cloud. See to it that you backup your data frequently to prevent loss.
- After the use, do not forget to remove plugins and add-ons.
- Have separate devices for home and office work. Avoid using the same laptop for house and office because the loss of the information will lead you to lose the information of both.
- If you experience the attack, report to the higher authorities immediately. The reporting should be done on time so that the action can be taken immediately.
- It is advisable to go through the information security policy and social integration policy of your organization.
The above tips will prove beneficial for you.
Conclusion
Maze ransomware is nothing new but a type of ransomware attack, which is trying to find new backdoors and new doors for the entry.
Valid user credentials are turning to be the source that is mostly used by the attackers. Organizations must pay attention to their network security and take precautions as well.
Stay updated and ensure the protection of your organization.
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