Common Threat to Data Loss: Malware and Ransomware

Today malware and ransomware have become some of the most pervasive threats to data security. Capable of inflicting severe and lasting harm on businesses and organizations, these threats are not the same as human error, natural disasters, weather incidents, or power or hardware failures. Similar to the threat posed by vandalism and theft, they are more malicious in nature.  These programs not only compromise data integrity but also jeopardize operational continuity, customer trust, and financial stability. 

What is Malware and Ransomware?

Malware is malicious software intentionally created to infiltrate, harm, exploit, or disrupt digital systems without the user’s consent. Ransomware, a subset of malware, encrypts victims’ data, making it inaccessible until a ransom is paid, typically demanded in cryptocurrency to ensure anonymity.

Common Types of Malware and Ransomware Affecting Data Systems

Understanding the variety and behaviors of malware can equip organizations to proactively prevent attacks. Here are prevalent malware categories that can cause significant data loss, corruption, or inaccessibility:

1. 1. Viruses: Malicious programs that attach to legitimate files or software and spread upon execution, causing file corruption and data loss.
   2. Worms: Self-replicating malware capable of spreading autonomously through networks, overwhelming systems, corrupting files, and disrupting operations.
   3. Trojan Horses: Disguised as genuine software, Trojans grant unauthorized access to attackers, enabling data theft, corruption, or system damage.
   4. Ransomware: Encrypts user files, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. High-profile examples include WannaCry^[i] and LockBit^[ii], causing significant operational downtime and financial loss.
   5. Spyware: Software secretly capturing user activities, login credentials, and financial information, leading to unauthorized data breaches and identity theft.
   6. Rootkits: Malware granting attackers administrative access, allowing them to conceal malicious activities and sustain long-term control over systems.
   7. Backdoors: Secret access points created by malware, bypassing authentication processes and enabling persistent unauthorized entry into systems.
   8. Droppers: Malware that discreetly installs additional malicious payloads, often triggering extensive system compromise and data corruption.

Malware’s Impactful Cost to Businesses

The extent of malware-induced damages underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures and data protection:

1. 1. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) reports that the average cost to businesses for recovering from a ransomware attack is $1.85 million.^[iii]
   2. According to CISA, 80% of organizations that paid a ransom experienced a repeat ransomware attack.^[iv]
   3. As of February 2025, the Medusa ransomware variant has claimed over 300 known victims across critical infrastructure sectors, including medical, education, and legal industries.^[v]
   4. Ransomware attacks affected 59% of organizations in the past year, with 70% of these attacks resulting in data encryption.^[vi]
   5. The number of published ransomware victims in 2024 reached 6,018, an increase from 5,339 in 2023, according to data from over 200 cybercriminal groups.^[vii]

In the News: Snowflake’s Data Breach in April 2024

In April 2024, Snowflake Inc., a prominent cloud-based data storage and analytics provider, experienced a significant security breach^[viii] that had widespread implications across various industries. Founded in 2012, Snowflake offers data warehousing services and operates on major cloud platforms, serving numerous high-profile clients.

Between April and June 2024, cybercriminals exploited compromised credentials to access Snowflake’s systems, affecting approximately 165 organizations. The attackers utilized previously stolen credentials from malware infections dating back as far as 2020. These credentials had not been updated or protected with multifactor authentication (MFA), allowing unauthorized access to vast amounts of sensitive data.^[ix]

The breach had a cascading effect on several major corporations:

• • AT&T: Call logs of approximately 109 million customers were stolen, leading to significant operational and reputational challenges.
  • Ticketmaster: Data of 560 million customers were compromised, disrupting events and increasing the production of scam tickets.
  • Advance Auto Parts: Approximately 2.3 million individuals, including current and former employees and job applicants, were affected by the breach.

In response to the breach, Snowflake collaborated with a cybersecurity firm to investigate and mitigate the attack. The implementation of MFA was mandated across all user accounts. Law enforcement agencies conducted investigations, leading to the arrest of individuals involved in the hacking activities.^[x] Notably, a Canadian man named Connor Moucka, was apprehended in connection with the breaches and faced extradition to the United States.

This incident underscores the critical importance of robust data protection measures to protect against sophisticated cyber threats.

World Backup Day: Safeguarding Data Against Ransomware and Malware

Each year on March 31st, businesses and individuals worldwide recognize World Backup Day^[xi], an initiative established in 2011 to promote awareness about the critical importance of data backups. Originally created to remind people of the consequences of data loss, this annual event underscores a vital message, particularly relevant in today’s landscape of escalating malware and ransomware threats.

Regular, secure backups provide the strongest defense against ransomware attacks by ensuring a clean, accessible version of your data remains available, even in the event of encryption or corruption. We encourage organizations to use this global reminder as an opportunity to review backup strategies, validate disaster recovery plans, and reinforce proactive cybersecurity practices.

Preventative Measures to Protect Data from Malware and Ransomware

To effectively defend against malware threats and mitigate the risks of data corruption, loss, or inaccessibility, it’s essential to adopt a multi-layered data protection strategy. At VaultTek, we advocate proactive data protection and recommend the following critical measures:

Data Encryption: Secure sensitive information through encryption, both when stored and during transmission. By encrypting your critical files, stolen data becomes unusable without the specific decryption keys, significantly minimizing risks posed by malware attacks, especially ransomware.

Utilize Robust, Redundant Backup Solutions: Adopting secure backup solutions with geographic diversity dramatically enhances your data resilience. Regularly back up data using a combination of onsite backups—such as the VaultTek Tekmate appliance, tailored to your infrastructure—and offsite backups housed securely in geographically separate U.S.-based data centers. This redundancy ensures rapid recovery from malware-induced incidents and provides protection against regional disruptions.

Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Principle: We cannot emphasize the importance of adhering to the proven 3-2-1 backup principle enough. This strategy is designed to reinforce data availability:

This disciplined approach ensures that even if one backup is compromised due to malware, ransomware, or hardware failures, additional secure copies remain available.

Regularly Update Antivirus Solutions and Software Patches:
Keeping your cybersecurity solutions current is critical in preventing malware and ransomware from exploiting known vulnerabilities. We recommend routinely updating antivirus and anti-malware software to ensure they detect and neutralize the latest cyber threats effectively. Equally important is maintaining a disciplined patch management process, promptly applying validated security updates to operating systems, software, and network infrastructure. Timely patching closes security gaps, significantly reducing the risk of exploitation by malicious actors seeking unauthorized access or data corruption.

Develop a Comprehensive Incident Response Plan and Provide Ongoing Employee Training: Implementing a detailed incident response plan ensures swift recovery and reduces downtime following any malware event. Additionally, continually educate your team about identifying malicious activities, protecting credentials, and following proper data-handling procedures. Employees trained in proactive cybersecurity practices serve as the first line of defense against malware intrusions.

Regularly Update Your Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP):
A comprehensive and regularly-tested Disaster Recovery Plan ensures rapid business continuity and data restoration following an attack. We advise routinely reviewing and enhancing your DRP to stay ahead of evolving malware threats, safeguard critical operations, and confidently handle emerging risks.

By integrating these recommended best practices, your organization can significantly strengthen its defenses against malware and ransomware ensuring your data stays secure and accessible when you need it most.

Best Defense is Proactive Data Backup and Recovery Plans

Malware and ransomware pose serious threats to businesses, disrupting daily operations and limiting the ability to effectively support customers. By proactively increasing your understanding of cybersecurity threats and how to report them, applying effective protective strategies, and establishing thorough preparedness, organizations can greatly minimize risks and ensure continued resilience.

At VaultTek, we specialize in providing robust, forward-thinking solutions that protect your critical data from evolving cyber threats such as malware and ransomware. Our philosophy, “Safeguard today, prepare for tomorrow,” highlights our commitment to delivering comprehensive data security that ensures readiness whenever threats arise.

Our solutions leverage the proven 3-2-1 backup principle, offering triple-layered protection for your data: a local backup through our Tekmate appliance specifically configured to your organization’s environment, plus two geographically dispersed backups securely stored in distinct U.S.-based data centers. With dedicated support from VaultTek’s professionals, you can trust in our expertise to maintain the accessibility, security, and integrity of your data.

Discover more about our tailored, proactive approach to data protection by exploring our comprehensive VaultTek solutions today.