What is BlackCat Ransomware? How to prevent?

Unlike other cyberattacks, BlackCat ransomware operates on a powerful programming language that is difficult to decipher. What exactly is BlackCat ransomware and how to prevent it?

What is BlackCat Ransomware?

BlackCat is a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) network attack model. The BlackCat ransomware perpetrator compromises the data in the system and issues a request to transfer money to the victim in exchange for the data. Ransomware BlackCat first appeared in November 2021.

BlackCat is no ordinary hacker group. It works with affiliates from different hacking groups and pays them up to 90% compensation. This is a big draw as other RaaS programs don't offer more than 70%. Due to the high remuneration, hackers from other gangs like BlackMatter and REvil are keen to cooperate with BlackCat.

Although BlackCat ransomware is common in Windows, it can appear on other operating systems as well.

How does BlackCat Ransomware work?

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As a ransomware attack, BlackCat uses malware-infected website links or emails to lure victims. It is so powerful that it can spread rapidly throughout the entire system.

BlackCat Ransomware deploys an extortion technique as follows: Attackers identify the weakest link in the system and break in through the loophole. Once inside, they take the most sensitive data and decrypt it right in the system. They make changes to the user account in the system's Active Directory.

Successfully tampering with Active Directory allows BlackCat to configure harmful Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to handle ransomware data. Next is to disable any security infrastructure in the system to avoid the barrier. Without any security protection, they continue to infect the system with PowerShell scripts.

They have the upper hand, so the attackers proceed to demand ransom from the victim with the threat of corrupting the decryption key, starting a distributed denial of service attack, or leaking data. . Each of these actions puts the victim in a quandary. In most cases, they are forced to pay.

The above scenario is not unique to BlackCat; Other RaaS attacks apply the same process. But one thing that sets the BlackCat ransomware apart is that it uses the Rust programming language - a programming technique that keeps bugs to a minimum. It provides a secure storage for data assets, preventing accidental leaks.

The Rust programming language allows BlackCat to perform the most complex attacks without doing too much. The victim cannot access the attacker's system because the system is highly secure.

How to prevent BlackCat . ransomware attacks

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Since its inception, BlackCat has continued to make bold strides in establishing itself as a dangerous group of hackers. Unlike other attackers who build websites that leak data on the dark web, BlackCat builds its website on the public domain. They are sending a strong message to their victims to force them to pay up quickly; otherwise, they will suffer heavy losses like other victims posted on the hacker's website.

Prevention is better than cure. There are a number of security measures you can take to protect your applications against BlackCat ransomware attacks.

1. Encrypt your data

Data encryption works on the premise that even if unauthorized users access your data, they won't be able to compromise it. And that's because your data is no longer in plaintext but in code. After your data goes from unencrypted to encrypted form, you need an encryption key to access it.

Modern encryption technology has further tightened the security of encrypted data. It uses algorithms to ensure data integrity and authentication. When a message arrives, the system validates it for traceability and verifies its integrity by checking if it has any changes.

Data encryption allows you to encrypt both data in storage and data in transit. That means, if ransomware leaks your data, it's still unreadable.

2. Implement multi-factor authentication

Creating strong passwords is part of a healthy cybersecurity culture. The stronger the password, the harder it is to crack. But BlackCat attackers are not novices in figuring out passwords using Brute Force attacks or the like.

Even after creating strong passwords, take it further by implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). It requires two or more verification credentials before users can access your system.

A common multi-factor authentication factor is a One-Time Password (OTP). If BlackCat hacks your password, they will need to provide an OTP that your system generates and sends to your phone number, email or any other application you have connected to the process. Without access to the OTP, they won't be able to log in.

3. Install updates

Maintaining network security is an ongoing activity. As developers create applications with strong security, hackers are working hard to find vulnerabilities in those systems. And so the developers keep updating the system to tighten the spots where there is lax security.

It is important that you install any updates for the operating systems and applications you use. Failure to do so leaves you exposed to cyber threats that attackers can exploit to initiate a ransomware attack against you.

It's easy to forget about installing updates. To prevent that from happening, schedule your device to be updated periodically or set automatic reminders.

4. Adopt access control system

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The easiest way to fall for a BlackCat ransomware attack is to leave your network open to everyone. You will benefit from a stronger network security when you put in place an access control system that monitors the traffic to your network, especially the people and devices that want access.

An effective access control system uses authentication and authorization processes to check users and devices, making sure they're harmless before going through your application. With such a system, it will be difficult for attackers to hack your system.

5. Backup data

With the rate of data breaches increasing, you should be cautious about taking measures to deal with possible attacks on your systems. And one sure way to do that is to back up data by moving it from main storage to secondary storage. Then separate the secondary storage system from the primary storage system, so that if the second storage system is compromised, the first storage system is not infected either. If anything happens to the primary data, you will still have backup data.

You can back up your data in a variety of locations including hardware devices, software solutions, cloud services, and hybrid services. Cloud backup services offer many benefits and security features not available with traditional backup solutions. If you want to combine traditional solutions with a cloud solution, you can do that with hybrid backups.

Marvin Fry

Update 17 February 2023