2016: 'The year of ransomware'

Ransomware attacks aren't new, but 2016 saw them increasing in frequency and sophistication as cyber criminals see a lucrative revenue opportunity.

UK-based Technology Services Group has produced an infographic that looks at ransomware’s rapid rise.

Among the highlights are a 3,500 percent rise in attacks during 2016, there’s also been a 600 percent increase in the number of new ransomware families between December 2015 and April 2016.

Overall 41 percent of businesses have been hit by ransomware, but in the UK the figure is 54 percent, with ransomware accounting for a quarter of all attacks on businesses. A worrying 37 percent say they've paid the ransom.

Email remains the most used distribution method at 59 percent, ahead of websites, social media and infected flash drives. Types of fake email used to lure business users include invoices, shipping confirmations and overdue accounts. Use of the old favorite Word document with an infected macro is also up by 40 percent.

You can find out more including why you shouldn't pay the ransom and how to prevent attacks in the full graphic below.

Photo credit: Fabio Alcini / Shutterstock