CERT-UK identify massive increase in new releases of ransomware in last 8 months

Between January 2012 and October 2015 there were 33 new releases of ransomware.

In the last 8 month this figure has jumped to 70 showing the rapid rise of pre-packaged off the shelf tools for hackers.

Ransomware delivers a virus into a system (often via a phishing email) which locks the system up totally and destroys data unless a ransom is paid within an agreed period.

The only realistic defence against this is regular offline backups of material to a secure location.

Law enforcement agencies such as the Met Police and City of London Police strongly advise against the payment of ransoms.