DarkSide Ransomware Attack

DarkSide Group

• DarkSide is an Eastern Europe-based cybercriminal hacking group that targets victims using ransomware and extortion
• The group has claimed that it is apolitical and is only concerned about making money and has claimed that it also donates some of its proceeds to charities.
• The DarkSide group appeared to have a code of conduct that prohibits attacks against hospitals, hospices, schools, universities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.

Ransomware Attack

• A ransomware attack is a cyberattack using malware that encrypts the victim’s files and requires users to pay a ransom to decrypt the files. 
• It is often designed to spread across a network and target database and file servers, and can thus quickly paralyze an entire organization. 
  • It is a growing threat, generating billions of dollars in payments to cybercriminals and inflicting significant damage and expenses for businesses and governmental organizations.

                                           Image Courtesy: Research gate 

How to Defend Against Ransomware?

• Back up your data. The best way to avoid the threat of being locked out of your critical files is to ensure that you always have backup copies of them, preferably in the cloud and on an external hard drive.
• Secure your backups. Make sure your backup data is not accessible for modification or deletion from the systems where the data resides. 
  • Ransomware will look for data backups and encrypt or delete them so they cannot be recovered, so use backup systems that do not allow direct access to backup files.

• Use security software and keep it up to date. Make sure all your computers and devices are protected with comprehensive security software and keep all your software up to date. 
• Practice safe surfing. Be careful where you click. Don’t respond to emails and text messages from people you don’t know, and only download applications from trusted sources. 
  • This is important since malware authors often use social engineering to try to get you to install dangerous files.

• Only use secure networks. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, since many of them are not secure, and cybercriminals can snoop on your internet usage.

• Implement a security awareness program. Provide regular security awareness training for every member of your organization so they can avoid phishing and other social engineering attacks. Conduct regular drills and tests to be sure that training is being observed.

Safeguards Available In India Against Cyber Threats 

• Information Technology Act, 2000 (Amended in 2008): It is the main law for dealing with cybercrime and digital commerce in India.
  • National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) was created under Section 70A of IT Act 2000 to protect Cyberinfrastructure.
• CERT-In (Cyber Emergency Response Team, India): It is National Nodal Agency for Cyber Security and is Operational since 2004
• National Cyber Security Policy, 2013: The policy provides the vision and strategic direction to protect the national cyberspace.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra: Cyber Swachhta Kendra helps users to analyse and keep their systems free of various viruses, bots/ malware, Trojans, etc.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Launched in 2018, It is an apex coordination centre to deal with cybercrimes.
• Cyber Surakshit Bharat: It was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITy) in 2018 with the aim to spread awareness about cybercrime and building capacity for safety measures for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and frontline IT staff across all government departments.
• The Cyber Warrior Police Force: It was organised on the lines of the Central Armed Police Force in 2018.