VPNs Under Siege: The Relentless Rise of Remote Ransomware and Crafty Cyber Tricks

Hot Take:

Ah, the digital frontier, where the wild west of cyber threats meets the tech-savvy sheriffs of cybersecurity. We’ve got VPNs playing the role of saloon doors, remote access tools as the sneaky bandits, and AI as the new slick-talkin’ outlaw. Welcome to the 2024 roundup of digital desperadoes, where attackers keep getting craftier, and our defenses more like a game of Whac-A-Mole than ever before!

Key Points:

• VPN devices were the entry point in 25% of ransomware and data theft incidents last year.
• Remote access tools are being misused in 34% of cyber incidents, often with trial or pirated licenses.
• Remote ransomware attacks surged by 50% in 2024 compared to 2023.
• Social engineering techniques are evolving, with new trends like MS Teams vishing and MFA phishing.
• Cybercriminals are using generative AI for social engineering tasks, including creating fake profiles and content.

VPN Devices: The Gateway Drug of Cyber Crime

In the realm of cybersecurity, VPN devices have turned into juicy targets for cybercriminals, like a cyber piñata just waiting to be whacked. The allure? Many network edge devices are like those old flip phones—nostalgic, beloved, but lacking all the fancy protective gear of modern security tools like EDR. The Google Cloud Next 2025 conference revealed attackers’ relentless pursuit of these vulnerabilities. It’s like a digital version of “Whack-a-Mole,” only the moles are sneaky hackers. Sophos chimed in, stressing the importance of lifecycle management for routers and VPNs to keep the hackers at bay. It’s the cybersecurity equivalent of brushing your teeth—essential but often neglected.

Remote Access Tools: The Swiss Army Knives of Hacking

Remote access tools are the Swiss Army knives of the hacking world, and cybercriminals are getting pretty handy with them. According to the report, 34% of incidents saw these tools being misused—often through trial accounts or, dare we say it, pirated versions. Tools like PSExec, AnyDesk, and ScreenConnect were the favorites among the digital delinquents. These tools are often used to cover up post-exploit activities, much like a cat burying its misdeeds in the litter box. It’s a sneaky game of hide and seek, but unfortunately, cybercriminals seem to be winning this round.

Remote Ransomware: The Unwanted Houseguest

Remote ransomware attacks are on the rise, up by half in 2024 compared to the previous year. Think of them as the unwanted houseguests of the digital world—they sneak in, eat all your digital snacks, and leave your house in shambles. These attacks don’t even need to set foot on your device; they just use network file sharing to do their dirty work. It’s like a virtual Houdini act, slipping past defenses unnoticed. Despite the increase in remote attacks, the overall number of incidents was slightly down from 2023, thanks in part to improved security measures and the takedown of some major ransomware-as-a-service gangs. Progress, albeit slow, is being made!

Social Engineering: Cybercriminals Get Crafty

In the world of cybercrime, social engineering is the equivalent of a con artist’s toolkit, and in 2024, they’ve been upgraded to 2.0. Forget traditional phishing; now it’s all about MS Teams vishing and MFA phishing. Cybercriminals are using platforms like Tycoon and EvilProxy for phishing-as-a-service, giving the phrase “as-a-service” a whole new sinister meaning. Generative AI is also being employed to make scams more convincing. It’s like having a digital Cyrano de Bergerac, only instead of wooing lovers, it’s tricking users out of their credentials. And let’s not overlook “quishing,” where QR codes hide malicious links, proving that even those seemingly innocent squares can be up to no good. It’s a digital evolution worthy of its own techy Darwin Awards.