The crypto market has always been more vulnerable to hackers’ fraudulent schemes in comparison with other industries. According to the digital forensics company, Crypsis Group, over the past two years, crypto attackers have increased the average ransom amount by 200%. Last year, the average payment amount exceeded $115,123, and the median amount surged by 300% to $21,700.
Analysts also note that hackers usually focus on large organizations and wealthy owners of cryptocurrencies. Once crypto hackers managed to receive a ransom of $15 million, which they demanded from a company that provides data center services.
Crypsis Group emphasizes that about 50% of attacks are made with the help of the remote desktop protocol (RDP). This technology provides a remote display of the network connections for Windows-based apps running on a server. Therefore, experts warn that any malfunction in the RDP installation opens up unlimited opportunities for hackers. Apart from this method, hackers also use social engineering.
In 2019, health organizations (22%) and industrial enterprises (13%) suffered the most from ransomware viruses.