{"id":8493,"date":"2022-11-22T14:35:46","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T09:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/?p=8493"},"modified":"2026-10-14T11:23:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T05:53:30","slug":"how-does-ransomware-spreads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Ransomware Spread? Common Infection Methods &amp; Prevention Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ransomware spreads through a small number of entry points, and the mix has changed. Verizon&#8217;s 2026 breach report found ransomware in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scworld.com\/news\/verizon-dbir-2026-vulnerability-exploits-top-initial-access-as-patching-coverage-falls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">48% of breaches<\/a>, up from 44% a year earlier. The most common ways in were exploited vulnerabilities (31%), phishing (16%), and stolen credentials (13%).<\/span><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #414141;color:#414141\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #414141;color:#414141\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/#How_Does_Ransomware_Spread\" >How Does Ransomware Spread?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/#Where_Ransomware_Comes_From_Today\" >Where Ransomware Comes From Today<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/#How_Does_Ransomware_Spread_Common_Infection_Methods\" >How Does Ransomware Spread: Common Infection Methods<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/#How_Does_Ransomware_Spreads_Prevention\" >How Does Ransomware Spreads: Prevention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/#Final_Thoughts\" >Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-does-ransomware-spreads\/#FAQs_How_Ransomware_Spreads\" >FAQs: How Ransomware Spreads?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">So this guide covers how <a href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/ransomware-attacks\">ransomware<\/a> gets in today, what happens after it does, and how to cut the risk at each step. It keeps the classic methods, such as attachments and links, and adds the routes that matter most now.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n      @media print, screen and (max-width: 63.99875em){\n      .tnp-submit\n      width: 48%;\n      }\n      .wp-block-tnp-minimal{\n      padding: 20px;\n      }\n      .blog_para\n      margin-top: 4px !important;\n      line-height: 25px !important;\n      font-size: 15px !important;\n      }\n\n      }\n      .blog_para{\n      font-family: jost,sans-serif;\n      margin-top: 14px;\n      margin-bottom: 30px;\n      color: #fff;\n      font-size: 15px !important;\n      color: black !important;\n\n      }\n\n      .wp-block-tnp-minimal{\n      padding:20px;\n      border: 1px solid grey;\n      }\n\n      .tnp-submit a{\n        background: #1d58c7!important;\n    border-radius: 5px!important;\n    text-transform: inherit!important;\n    padding: 8px 25px!important;\n    font-weight: 600!important;\n    color: #fff!important;\n    width: 30%!important;\n    border: none;\n      }\n\n      .blog_get{\n      font-size: 24px !important;\n      font-weight: 700;\n      padding-bottom: 0px;\n    font-family: 'Poppins' !important;\n      margin-bottom: 0px;\n      margin-top: 0px;\n      margin-bottom: 0px !important;\n      color: white;\n          line-height: 30px;\n          color: white;\n      }\n      .row{\n             display: flex;\n    flex-wrap: wrap;\n    flex-direction: row;\n    padding: 25px 0px 25px 36px;\n    align-items: center;\n\n      }\n\n.colLeft{\n         flex-basis:50%;\n    -webkit-box-flex: 0;\n    flex-grow: 0;\n    max-width: 50%;\n    color: white;\n}\n    \n .colRight{\n       flex-basis: 45%;\n    -webkit-box-flex: 0;\n    flex-grow: 0;\n    max-width: 50%;\n }\n\n.tnp-subscription-minimal{\n    float: right;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div style=\"max-width: 741px; margin: 0 auto; background-image: url('https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/marketing\/linkedinlowerbanner.webp'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; background-position: center; \">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"colLeft\">\n<p class=\"blog_get\" style=\"font-family: 'Poppins' !important; color: white !important\">Subscribe to Our Newsletter On Linkedin<\/p>\n<p class=\"blog_para\" style=\"font-size: 16px;font-family: 'Poppins' !important; color: white !important; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 28px;line-height: 25px;\">Sign up to Stay Tuned with the Latest Cyber Security News and Updates<\/p>\n\n<div>\n<div class=\"tnp\" style=\"margin-bottom: 10px;\">\n            <form action=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/newsletter-thank-you\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\">\n<div class=\"tnp-submit\">\n                  <a class=\"libutton\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/build-relation\/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7062043746430783488\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Subscribe<\/a><\/div>\n<\/form><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"colRight\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"tnp tnp-subscription-minimal \">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/marketing\/newsletter-icon.webp\" class=\"img-fluid\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Ransomware_Spread\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>How Does Ransomware Spread?<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The anatomy of a ransomware attack will involve different stages, which will be followed by the hackers for a potential ransomware attack.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Initial Stage<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Attackers who use ransomware attacks on their targets have a motive of gaining access to sensitive data. The starting phase of the ransomware attack is performed in different ways. Attackers convince or trick users into downloading a dropper, which starts the infection, using strategies like <span style=\"color: #183994;\"><a style=\"color: #183994;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/social-engineering-attack\/\"><strong>social engineering<\/strong><\/a><\/span> and weaponized websites.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Installing Malware<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Once they get access to the system, they will start working on installing malware. So, when the infected file is opened, the malware starts encrypting the files. When the attacker gets access to the system, they start installing malware through which they will get access to the system.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">When the attacker gets access, they start working on encrypting files and stealing the data, so that they can get a potential amount from the victim. But do you know if the encryption of the files involves different steps? Let\u2019s check it out.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!DOCTYPE html>\r\n<html lang=\"en\">\r\n\r\n<head>\r\n    <meta charset=\"UTF-8\">\r\n    <meta http-equiv=\"X-UA-Compatible\" content=\"IE=edge\">\r\n    <meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0\">\r\n    <title>Document<\/title>\r\n<\/head>\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n    .interestedBtn {\r\n        width: 80% !important;\r\n        box-sizing: border-box !important;\r\n        display: inline-block !important;\r\n        padding: 11px !important;\r\n        border: 1px !important;\r\n        border-color: #ddd !important;\r\n        margin-top: 10px !important;\r\n        background-color: #183e8b !important;\r\n        background-image: none !important;\r\n        text-shadow: none !important;\r\n        color: #fff !important;\r\n        font-size: 14px !important;\r\n        line-height: 20px !important;\r\n        border-radius: 5px !important;\r\n        margin: 0 !important;\r\n        cursor: pointer !important;\r\n        box-shadow: 0px 4.66px 22.99px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.10);;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n\r\n        .formSec .formSecTwo{\r\n            padding-top: 15px !important;\r\n            margin-bottom: 30px !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n\r\n    .tnp-email {\r\n        width: 80% !important;\r\n        box-sizing: border-box;\r\n        padding: 8px 10px;\r\n        display: inline-block;\r\n        border: 1px solid #ced4da;\r\n        background: #fff;\r\n        color: #000 !important;\r\n        font-size: 13px;\r\n        line-height: 20px;\r\n        border-radius: 2px;\r\n        padding-right: 30px;\r\n        margin-bottom: 0px;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .formSec {\r\n        border: 1px solid #ced4da;\r\n        float: left !important;\r\n        width: 55% !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .mainBox {\r\n       \/* border: 1px solid #183e8b;*\/\r\n         background: white;\r\n        max-width: 600px !important;\r\n        margin: 0 auto !important;\r\n        padding: 20px !important;\r\n        font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .boxDiv {\r\n        display: flex !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .boxConsult {\r\n        float: left !important;\r\n        width: 45% !important;\r\n        padding: 10px !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .formSecTwo {\r\n        text-align:center !important;\r\n        width: 100% !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .formHeading {\r\n        font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\r\n        margin-top: 0px;\r\n        font-weight: 700;\r\n        line-height: 25px;\r\n        font-size: 18px !important;\r\n        \r\n       margin-bottom: 60px !important;\r\n       color: #000!important;\r\n          margin-top: 5px !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .fieldHeading {\r\n        margin: 0 !important;\r\n        font-size: 13px !important;\r\n        text-align: left !important;\r\n        margin: 0px 39px 2px 93px !important;\r\n        font-weight: 500 !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n    .image {\r\n        max-width:90% !important;\r\n        height: auto !important;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n     .email-icon {\r\n            position: absolute;\r\n            right: 50px;\r\n             top: 20px;\r\n            transform: translateY(-50%);\r\n            pointer-events: none; \r\n        }\r\n\r\n          .email-container{\r\n             position: relative;\r\n         \r\n        }\r\n       \r\n\r\n        .email-icon img{\r\n                 width: 15px;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n\r\n         input::placeholder {\r\n            color:#495057;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n\r\n     ::placeholder {\r\n        color: #495057;\r\n    }\r\n\r\n        ::-ms-input-placeholder { \r\n          color:#495057;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n\r\n        input:-webkit-autofill {\r\n            background-color: transparent !important;\r\n            -webkit-box-shadow: 0 0 0px 1000px white inset !important; \r\n            box-shadow: 0 0 0px 1000px white inset !important;\r\n            color: #495057 !important; \r\n        }\r\n\r\n        \r\n        input {\r\n            color:#495057 !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n     .tnp-subscription-minimal {\r\n       float: unset;\r\n      }\r\n\r\n\r\n    @media screen and (max-width: 480px) {\r\n        .boxDiv {\r\n            display: block !important;\r\n            padding: 15px !important;\r\n         \r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .image{\r\n        width: 80% !important;\r\n         margin-bottom: 14px;\r\n        }\r\n        .fieldHeading {\r\n            text-align: left !important;\r\n            margin: unset !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .boxConsult {\r\n            width: unset !important;\r\n            float: none !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .mainBox {\r\n            border: unset !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .formSec {\r\n            float: unset !important;\r\n            width: 100% !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .formSecTwo {\r\n            text-align: center !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .tnp-email {\r\n            width: 90% !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n        .formHeading {\r\n            margin-bottom: unset !important;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n         .email-icon {\r\n            position: absolute;\r\n            right: 25px;\r\n            top: 58%;\r\n            transform: translateY(-50%);\r\n            pointer-events: none; \/* Make sure the icon doesn't block clicking on the input *\/\r\n        }\r\n       \r\n        .email-container{\r\n             position: relative;\r\n        }\r\n\r\n    }\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<body>\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"mainBox\" box-sizing:=\"\" border-box;=\"\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"boxDiv\">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"boxConsult\">\r\n                <div>\r\n                    <h3 class=\"formHeading\" style=\" font-size: 16px !important;\">\r\n                        Book a Free Demo Call with Our People Security Expert<\/h3>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/threatcop_blog\/form.svg\" class=\"image\">\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"formSec\">\r\n                <div class=\" formSecTwo\">\r\n                    <h4 style=\"margin-top: 0; font-size: 16px !important;\">Enter your details<\/h4>\r\n                    <div class=\"tnp tnp-subscription-minimal\">\r\n                        <form action=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/thankyou-blog\" method=\"get\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                            <div class=\"email-container\" style=\"margin-bottom:20px;\">\r\n\r\n                                <input class=\"tnp-email\" type=\"text\" required=\"\" name=\"FullName\" value=\"\"\r\n                                    placeholder=\"Full Name\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"email-icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/threatcop_blog\/icon01.svg\" class=\"img-fluid\" \/><\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"email-container\" style=\"margin-bottom:20px;\">\r\n                               \r\n                                <input class=\"tnp-email\" type=\"email\" required=\"\" name=\"email\" value=\"\"\r\n                                    placeholder=\"Corporate Email Id\">\r\n                                     <span class=\"email-icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/threatcop_blog\/icon02.svg\" class=\"img-fluid\" \/><\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"email-container\" style=\"margin-bottom:20px;\">\r\n                               \r\n                                <input class=\"tnp-email\" type=\"text\" required=\"\" name=\"CompanyName\" value=\"\"\r\n                                    placeholder=\"Company Name\">\r\n                                    <span class=\"email-icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/threatcop_blog\/icon03.svg\" class=\"img-fluid\" \/><\/span>\r\n\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n\r\n                            <div class=\"email-container\">\r\n                               \r\n                                <input class=\"tnp-email\" type=\"number\" required=\"\" name=\"Phone\" value=\"\"\r\n                                    placeholder=\"Phone No.\"><br>\r\n                                    <span class=\"email-icon\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/awareness.threatcop.ai\/threatcop_blog\/icon04.svg\" class=\"img-fluid\" \/><\/span>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n                            <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"BlogForm\" value=\"BlogForm\"><br>\r\n                            <input class=\"tnp-submit interestedBtn\" name=\"submit\" type=\"submit\"\r\n                                value=\"SUBMIT\">\r\n\r\n                        <\/form>\r\n                    <\/div>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/body>\r\n\r\n<\/html>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Encrypting The Files<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Once the attacker installs the malware and starts encrypting the files, the virus probes the local workstation and any network it has gained access to via lateral movement for files to encrypt. These encrypted files can only be decrypted with the key that is given by the attackers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Contact the Ransomware Attacker<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The attacker then gives instructions for contacting them. Never follow them before you have spoken to your incident response team and legal counsel.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Payment<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">With all the formalities done, comes payday. After paying the ransom, the attackers will provide you with a decryption key. Most of the time, they demand payment in Bitcoin.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Ransomware_Comes_From_Today\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Where Ransomware Comes From Today<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The four methods below still happen, but they are no longer the whole picture. Four entry routes account for most attacks today.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Entry route<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>How it works<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>What the data says<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Exploited vulnerabilities<\/td>\n<td>Attackers use unpatched, internet-facing systems<\/td>\n<td>31% of breaches (Verizon, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Phishing<\/td>\n<td>Email, text, or voice leads to a login or a download<\/td>\n<td>16% of breaches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stolen credentials<\/td>\n<td>Attackers use valid logins from earlier theft<\/td>\n<td>13% of breaches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Prior compromise<\/td>\n<td>Access from an earlier intrusion gets reused<\/td>\n<td>30% of ransomware operations, double 2024 (Mandiant, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The last row changes the picture. Many ransomware attacks do not start with the ransomware crew. An initial access group gets in first and hands the access to a second group. Mandiant found that the median hand-off between the two fell from more than eight hours in 2022 to <a href=\"https:\/\/cloud.google.com\/blog\/topics\/threat-intelligence\/m-trends-2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">22 seconds in 2025<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">So a small event, such as one reported phishing email, can be the first sign of an attack about to hand off. Treat low-level alerts as serious until you know otherwise.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Ransomware_Spread_Common_Infection_Methods\"><\/span><b>How Does Ransomware Spread: Common Infection Methods<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ransomware may be evolving, but it still needs to follow the same guidelines as standard malware, despite its increased sophistication. Some common infection methods <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/ransomware-groups\/\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">ransomware groups<\/span><\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> use to attack are:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Email Attachments<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Ransomware attacks are commonly spread through emails, which encourage the recipient to open malicious attachments. Once the victim clicked on the attachment, ransomware started its work right away. In other cases, the attacker may postpone encrypting the victim\u2019s files for days, weeks, or even months.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Hackers create credible and extremely credible emails, before creating the emails. They do thorough research on their target. The more believable the email is, the more likely victim is willing to open the email attachment.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Prevention Tips:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Open attachments only from reputable and trusted sources.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify that the email address is valid. Keep in mind that display names and domain names can be <\/span><span style=\"color: #183994;\"><a style=\"color: #183994;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/email-spoofing\/\"><b>spoofed<\/b><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Never enable macros because a message tells you to. <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/microsoft-365-apps\/security\/internet-macros-blocked\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Microsoft blocks macros from the internet by default<\/a> in Office, so a request to turn them on is a strong warning sign. Ask your IT department for advice if you think the attachment is valid.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/avoid-spear-phishing-attack\/\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">avoid spear phishing<\/span><\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">emails.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Malicious URLs<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malicious links are inserted into emails by attackers to spread ransomware. Newer lures work differently. In a ClickFix attack, a fake error or CAPTCHA page tells the visitor to paste a command to &#8220;fix&#8221; the problem, and the command installs malware. ESET reported that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.helpnetsecurity.com\/2025\/06\/26\/clickfix-attacks-fakecaptcha-eset-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">ClickFix attacks rose more than 500%<\/a> in the first half of 2025. That made them the second most common attack ESET blocked, after phishing, at nearly 8% of blocked attacks.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The messages are typically written to arouse feelings of intrigue or urgency in order to pursue victims to click on the malicious links. When they click on the link, ransomware starts its work and blocks access to them. They get access after the ransom is paid.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Prevention Tips:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Be cautious when clicking any links included in emails or direct messages.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Double-check the links before clicking on them.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Manually enter the link in the browser to avoid clicking on malicious links.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Use<\/span> <a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/threatcop-phishing-incident-response\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">phishing incident response<\/span><\/b><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> tool.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Malvertising<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The practice of spreading ransomware through malicious advertising, or malvertising is gaining popularity. The same platform and resources that are used to show legitimate ads online are also used by malvertising.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, attackers buy advertising space connected to an exploit kit. The exploit kit scans your system when clicking on the advertisement to gather data on your operating systems and other things. Malvertising plays a significant role in the spread of many ransomware attacks, such as <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/revil-group\/\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">REvil group<\/span><\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/hive-ransomware\/\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">Hive ransomware<\/span><\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Preventing Tips:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Update your operating systems, programs, and web browsers.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Unuseful plugins should be disabled.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Activate an ad blocker.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Turn on click-to-play plugins in your web browser to stop plugins like Java and Flash from starting up automatically.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Remote Desktop Protocol<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Another well-liked ransomware attack is remote desktop protocol, a communication protocol that enables network connections to other computers. RDP typically accepts connection requests via port 3389. Cybercriminals take advantage of this by searching the internet for desktops with exposed ports using port scanners. They then try to access the machine by taking advantage of security flaws or by using brute force attacks to decipher the login information.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">After getting access, typically, this entails deleting accessible backups, disabling programs and other security tools, and installing the ransomware. They might leave a backdoor that they can access later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Prevention Tips:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/how-to-keep-your-password-safe-from-hackers\/\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">keep your password safe<\/span><\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, use strong and different passwords.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">From the default port 3389, change the RDP port.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Enable RDP only when necessary.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Apply VPN<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">For remote sessions, enable two-factor authentication.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Does_Ransomware_Spreads_Prevention\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>How Does Ransomware Spreads: Prevention<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-8494\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/stop-ransom-ware-top.png\" alt=\"how ransomware spreads\" class=\"wp-image-8494\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">(Source: CISA)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Most victims don\u2019t know what to do if they are facing a ransomware attack. During a ransomware attack, you will have to pay a particular amount to get the data back. However, an organization can take a few steps to prevent ransomware attacks.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Stop Ransomware Spreading<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">The first thing that you should do is isolate the infected computer to stop the ransomware attack. By isolating the devices, the attackers can not steal more data and demand a higher ransom.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Close the Entry Points<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Prevention starts with the routes attackers use most.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><b>Patch internet-facing systems first.<\/b> Exploited vulnerabilities were the top way in, at 31% of breaches.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><b>Use phishing-resistant MFA<\/b> for email, remote access, and admin accounts, so a stolen password alone does not open the door.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><b>Watch for leaked credentials.<\/b> A review of Verizon&#8217;s data found that <a href=\"https:\/\/pushsecurity.com\/blog\/verizon-dbir-2026-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">half of ransomware victims<\/a> had a credential or infostealer event in the 95 days before the attack.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\"><b>Limit remote desktop exposure.<\/b> Keep RDP off the open internet, and require a VPN and MFA.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Identifying The Attack<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">It is important for the organization or the user to first identify what type of attack and malware it is. Once they analyze it, then your organization can start working on removing the malware or contacting the attackers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Employee Awareness<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many attacks involve a human decision, so awareness matters. Exploited vulnerabilities and stolen credentials also cause many attacks, so pair training with patching and strong MFA. So, it is important for you to provide your employees with <\/span><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/ransomware-awareness-and-simulation\"><b><span style=\"color: #183994;\">ransomware awareness and simulation<\/span><\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Fast reporting matters because the hand-off between attackers can take seconds. <a href=\"https:\/\/threatcop.com\/threatcop-phishing-incident-response\">Threatcop Phishing Incident Response (TPIR)<\/a> gives staff a one-click way to report a suspicious message from email or WhatsApp. TPIR then runs the message through sandbox analysis, and its &#8220;Who Else&#8221; insight shows which other mailboxes received it. So the security team can act on the whole campaign, not one inbox.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Multiple Backups of Data<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">Keep backups offline or immutable, so attackers cannot delete them. Protect backup and admin accounts separately from everyday accounts, and test restores on a schedule. Mandiant found that ransomware groups, including those using Akira and Qilin ransomware, targeted backup systems, identity services, and virtualization management before they encrypted anything. A backup that attackers can reach is not a safe copy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>Final Thoughts<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #000000;\">There are numerous ways that ransomware spreads. Phishing, stolen credentials, and exploited vulnerabilities are the main ways in today, and the first two depend on human decisions. No matter how ransomware spreads, you can lower your risk and limit the damage with the steps above.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_How_Ransomware_Spreads\"><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><b>FAQs: How Ransomware Spreads?<\/b><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673242010800\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How will I know if my system is infected with ransomware?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">There will be a message that the attackers left to contact them. Also, you will notice that your system is working slowly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673242029250\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How does ransomware <\/strong>work<strong>?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Ransomware is malware that is designed to encrypt the files on the computer system and deny access to the owner. Once the system has been encrypted, the attacker will ask for a payment, after which you will have access to the data on the computer.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673242054339\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What to do if the system is infected with ransomware?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Isolate the affected systems from the network. Then call your incident response team and legal counsel, and report the attack to law enforcement. Do not contact the attackers on your own, because they may already hold copies of your data. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisa.gov\/stopransomware\/ive-been-hit-ransomware\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">CISA&#8217;s ransomware response checklist<\/a> lists the steps.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1673242084882\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can hackers steal data through ransomware?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, and often before they encrypt anything. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cisa.gov\/stopransomware\/ransomware-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">CISA notes<\/a> that attackers may steal data and then threaten to release it publicly to pressure the victim into paying. So stolen data remains a risk even if you restore from backups.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1760000000001\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Should we pay a ransom?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Treat it as a business, legal, and law-enforcement decision, not an IT task. Payment does not undo data theft, because attackers may already hold copies. Ask your incident response team and legal counsel before any contact. Strong, tested backups reduce the pressure to pay.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ransomware spreads through a small number of entry points, and the mix has changed. Verizon&#8217;s 2026 breach report found ransomware in 48% of breaches, up from 44% a year earlier. The most common ways in were exploited vulnerabilities (31%), phishing (16%), and stolen credentials (13%). So this guide covers how ransomware gets in today, what [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":8495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ransomware"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Does Ransomware Spread? Entry Points and Prevention<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ransomware appeared in 48% of breaches in Verizon&#039;s 2026 report. 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