Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development

Ransomware Grows More Targeted

Intel Security's Raj Samani Describes Malware Trends

Attackers continue to refine malware attacks, including refining the code that locks victims' PCs or mobile devices, encrypts all of the data stored on the devices, and then demands a ransom payment to receive an unlock code, says Raj Samani, vice president and CTO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Intel Security.

Ransomware remains a lucrative business model for many cybercriminals, in part because related attacks are easy to automate and scale, Samani says.

In this video interview at RSA Conference 2016, Samani, who's also a cybersecurity adviser to Europol - the EU's law enforcement intelligence agency - discusses:

  • Why the volume of ransomware attacks has continued to grow;
  • How paying ransoms entices online attackers to continue targeting specific geographies;
  • The impetus for online criminals to plow illicit profits into research and development efforts designed to evade security defenses;
  • Why criminals are increasingly turning to remote, virtual crimes.

In addition to his role at Intel Security, Samani is a member of the Advisory Group on Internet Security for the Europol Cybercrime Centre, or EC3, as well as the chief innovation officer for Cloud Security Alliance. He previously worked as a security consultant for CapGemini and as an information security manager for consultancy Deloitte.

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About the Author

Mathew J. Schwartz

Mathew J. Schwartz

Executive Editor, DataBreachToday & Europe, ISMG

Schwartz is an award-winning journalist with two decades of experience in magazines, newspapers and electronic media. He has covered the information security and privacy sector throughout his career. Before joining Information Security Media Group in 2014, where he now serves as the executive editor, DataBreachToday and for European news coverage, Schwartz was the information security beat reporter for InformationWeek and a frequent contributor to DarkReading, among other publications. He lives in Scotland.




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