Quick question: What would your organization do if every file, system, and shared drive suddenly became inaccessible?
That’s the kind of crisis the FBI is warning businesses about right now — thanks to a fast-growing ransomware group called Interlock.
They only surfaced in late 2024, but they’re already targeting organizations across North America and Europe — including essential services like healthcare and education.
Double Extortion
Interlock’s strategy is brutal and efficient:
- Break in using disguised “software updates” or malicious websites
- Steal sensitive data without anyone noticing
- Encrypt everything so you’re locked out
- Demand payment — usually with a ticking clock (around 4 days!)
- Threaten to leak private data publicly if you refuse
This is what’s known as double extortion, and Interlock is showing zero hesitation in deploying it.
They’ve also built tools to attack both Windows and Linux environments — meaning nearly any business could be in their sights.
And while headlines focus on big corporations, small and midsized organizations are often the real victims. Criminals know SMBs typically have fewer defenses and can’t afford downtime — making them more likely to pay.
A successful attack could mean…
- No access to patient or client records
- Interrupted services for students or community members
- Major compliance and reporting fallout
- Permanent reputational damage
So what does the FBI recommend?
- Apply security updates quickly — it closes easy entry points
- Turn on multi-factor authentication everywhere you can
- Block malicious sites with firewalls and web filtering
- Segment your network to prevent total shutdown
- Use modern threat detection tools to stop attacks early
These steps aren’t just IT best practices — they’re business survival strategies.
Ransomware groups like Interlock thrive on delay and unprepared defenses. Taking preventive action now costs far less than responding after the damage is done.
If you’d like expert help strengthening your cybersecurity before threats escalate, our team is here and ready to support you. Let’s make sure your organization stays protected. 💬
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