Behind the FunkSec Ransomware Group
The organization behind FunkSec ransomware uses AI and a collaborative approach for attacks. They have successfully adopted a ransomware-as-a-service model, selling their malware to less sophisticated attackers. The threat is a high-risk one. However, it is still possible to prevent attacks with robust, top-quality security tools.
Traditional ransomware attacks typically exploit vulnerabilities to access a network, or they take advantage of human error through phishing attacks. FunkSec ransomware works a little differently. The group that created it likely used AI to build and adapt the malware’s code, allowing it to skirt around security systems more easily than traditional ransomware.
This has been very effective. In December 2024, the month of its discovery, FunkSec ransomware affected more organizations than most other ransomware attacks.
However, apart from the attacks it claims, FunkSec is something of a mystery to security experts.
Although the ransomware has been very damaging, it’s difficult to verify the claims made by the FunkSec ransomware group. There are also indications that it was not built by expert hackers; instead, it may have been the work of less experienced people, and AI made the difference between a low-risk attack and a very severe one.
Another distinguishing factor of this group is the low ransoms demanded.
While most ransomware attacks end with ransoms in the millions, the FunkSec group has been known to only demand $10,000. This may be in part because they generate revenue by selling exfiltrated data on the dark web.
4 Key Distribution Methods
Whatever the group’s background, their ransomware-as-a-service offering could pose a problem for organizations. Malware built by AI can be more adaptable and better at finding vulnerabilities than traditional malware, so there is reason to be wary. By understanding key distribution methods for FunkSec ransomware, organizations can limit their risk of attack.
Attack patterns show the four significant distribution methods:
- Phishing emails: One of the easiest ways to gain access to a device or network is through infected links or attachments in phishing emails. Attackers can send the emails to a large number of potential targets with minimal effort, making this an attractive option.
- Stuffed credential attacks: With an increasing amount of private data circulating on the dark web, an attacker can purchase lists of credentials more easily than ever. Once the lists of user credentials are acquired, the attacker can begin a stuffed credential attack either manually or with AI tools.
- Stolen credentials: Even without access to dark web resources, attackers can acquire credentials through social engineering and brute force attacks. Acquired credentials are then used to access other accounts and to open doors for malware download.
- Vulnerability exploitation: Whether the vulnerability is zero day or a long-known weakness, it’s a potential attack vector. Especially for groups like FunkSec that already leverage AI, it’s relatively simple to take advantage of an unpatched vulnerability.
Given the amount of information available on the dark web and the attack advantages of AI, these methods are simple. Even an inexperienced attacker can use AI to spot weaknesses in code or to build a credential-stuffing bot.
Removing ransomware is tricky, so once the attackers are in, expelling them is challenging.
To prevent infection and protect data from attack, there are options that can limit the attackers’ ability to get through. With the right security stack, organizations can reduce their risk of attack substantially.
How to Prevent FunkSec Ransomware
As with any kind of ransomware, FunkSec depends on weaknesses in applications, networks, and security solutions to gain access to data. Once inside an environment, the ransomware can disable security tools, including Windows Defender, to prevent detection.
Downed defenses can expose the environment to other types of attacks as well.
So ultimately, it’s far better to prevent FunkSec access than to focus on mitigation. To keep it out, organizations should invest in the following tools:
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- Anti-ransomware: Perhaps the most straightforward preventative measure, anti-ransomware protects endpoints from suspicious activity. To keep up with FunkSec ransomware, a solution that is built on AI for optimal threat detection is ideal.
- Patch automations: Manually patching every vulnerability that an organization’s security team uncovers takes a lot of time. Rather than investing all of the team’s resources into a relatively basic maintenance activity, implement automated patching to ensure all available patches are applied as soon as possible.
- Data encryption: FunkSec ransomware uses double extortion, so data is both encrypted and stolen to sell on the dark web. Protecting the data with encryption prevents the attackers from successfully accessing and exfiltrating it.
- Browser protection: This tool defends against both phishing and malicious ads, limiting the risk of downloading the ransomware.
- Access control enforcement: Because the FunkSec group favors credential theft and stuffing attacks, it’s important to limit the access permitted to any given user. By controlling access, organizations can identify unauthorized access more quickly and reduce its impacts. So, even if ransomware infection occurs, the amount of data that can be stolen is limited.
- Firewalls: Acting as a traffic filter, firewalls help prevent the credential stuffing attacks that would introduce ransomware. They reduce unauthorized access, and if they are AI-powered, they can block zero day attacks on the network.
- Employee training: Ensuring that employees can recognize phishing attacks, for example, is an important tool for protecting a company’s data from ransomware attacks. Employees should also be able to identify and follow correct security protocols.
A subpar security stack can lead to ransomware infection, so organizations must ensure that they are using well-supported, robust solutions.
Ransomware Prevention with Check Point
Although FunkSec ransomware might not have the most sophisticated developers behind it, it poses a great threat to unprotected organizations. Double extortion prevents internal access to important information, which creates downtime and revenue losses. On the flip side, it also threatens to expose:
- Company secrets
- Consumer information
- Other sensitive data
To prevent ransomware from wreaking havoc on an organization, security teams need to implement solutions that can constantly scan for and detect threats. AI-powered and automated tools are important for both accuracy and efficiency, ensuring that the security team doesn’t become bogged down in traffic reports and patching.
Check Point’s anti-ransomware solution can protect organizations from the FunkSec ransomware group’s attacks. Advanced features keep the ransomware out of applications, networks, and endpoints; and if an attack slips by, this fully integrated solution works to limit and contain damage.
To learn more about how Check Point’s solutions can prevent infection, reach out to a ransomware expert today.
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