These days everyone can be the target for a ransomware attack if they have attractive data and essential data. It also depends on how quickly to a ransom demand, how vulnerable your security is, and how vigorously you keep employees trained about phishing emails, etc.

 

Some firms are more vulnerable to cyberattacks, because of the weak technologies they use, the age of their employees, the cost for replacement, identity governance, and overall cybersecurity system regulated by the government. 

 

There are various institutions and departments which are always vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and given below are the top five top targets for ransomware attacks. 

 

Education

 

In the last few years, educational institutions like colleges and universities have been the top ransomware targets. The reason behind most of the successful attacks in educational organizations have smaller IT teams, deal with budgetary constraints, and have a high rate of network file sharing.

 

 As an educational organization carries the social security numbers, medical records, intellectual property, research, and financial data of faculty, staff, and students, cybercriminals are more interested in targeting the educational firms. 

 

Government

 

Another top target for a ransomware attack is the government agencies. Government agencies such as police protection are more vulnerable to ransomware attacks because they are time-sensitive and crucial. These firms need to respond quickly to emergency and urgency in the recovery of their data and are more willing to pay the ransom amount. 

 

Healthcare, energy/utilities, retail, finance

 

Healthcare firms are also vulnerable to ransomware attacks. Healthcare units and hospitals get ready to pay the ransom quickly as they need their patient’s data that are in a critical stage of life. 

 

Other departments like utilities, retails, and finance are also a top target for ransomware attacks, so they carry massive data, and recovery them is quite tricky; that is why they prefer to pay the ransom.

 

HR departments

 

The human resource department in every firm is also the top priority of ransomware attacks. The cybercriminal poses as a job applicant that contains malware, and when the HR professional opens the email or attachment from an unknown sender, the spread the ransom into their system.

 

Mobile devices and Macs

 

The cybercriminal targets mobile devices and Macs devices through a ransomware attack. They don’t not only target PC or window computer but vast numbers of mobile files also.