Ransomware Defence: How Attacks Unfold and What Stops Them
Follow a ransomware attack from first access to encryption, and see which controls break the chain at each step.
Explore the Ransomware Guide
Eleven chapters, each one readable on its own. Most include a tool you can use as you read.
How a modern ransomware attack unfolds
Ransomware is rarely a single event. It is a chain of steps over days or weeks, and each step is a chance to stop it.
Initial access: phishing, exposed services and stolen credentials
Most attacks start with a phishing email, an unpatched remote service or credentials bought from a previous breach.
Privilege escalation and lateral movement
Once inside, attackers look for admin rights and move between systems using legitimate tools.
Data theft before encryption: double extortion
Attackers copy sensitive data first, so they can threaten to publish it even if you restore from backup.
Hardening identity: MFA, privileged access and service accounts
Identity is the main battleground. Strong authentication and tight privileged access block many attack paths.
Patching and exposure management that keeps pace
Attackers exploit known vulnerabilities within days of disclosure, especially on internet-facing systems.
Endpoint detection and 24/7 monitoring
EDR tools and a team watching alerts around the clock catch attacks that slip past prevention.
Backups that survive an attack
Attackers target backups first. Backups need to be isolated, immutable and tested.
Network segmentation that limits the blast radius
Segmentation stops an attacker in one part of the network from reaching everything else.
Testing your defences with simulated attacks
Penetration tests and attack simulations show whether your controls work against real techniques.
A ransomware readiness checklist for the next quarter
A short list of actions that give the most protection in the next three months.
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