In the first half of 2019, there was more than a twofold increase in the number of attacks using ransomware encryption malware and other destructive viruses such as wiper – specialists from IBM X-Force IRIS department warn.

Compared to the previous half-year, from January to July 2019, the number of attacks increased by over 200 percent. 50% hacking operations with the use of malicious, destructive software were directed against organizations and companies in the manufacturing industry – specialists say.

Other industries particularly vulnerable to hacker activity are the fuel and oil sectors, as well as educational institutions. Most of these attacks have occurred in Europe, the United States and the Middle East, according to IBM analysis.

The IRIS team said the increase in the number of attacks using ransomware encryption software in the first half of this year was 116 percent. Specialists emphasized that the increase in the number of attacks using software that not only encrypts, but also destroys the resources of infected computers should be particularly alarming. Its dissemination emphasizes the importance of increased threats from such attacks for companies and organizations – warns IBM.

The company recommends that in order to strengthen protection against such activities, organizations should be able to isolate parts of the network infrastructure within their structures. This action is crucial to limit the damage caused by cyber attacks – experts note.

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As they suggest, it can also be helpful to reduce the number of devices connected to the network that have hit hackers, and to regularly test response to such events and implement risk analysis activities.