Ransomware Prevention and Protection continues to be a significant cybersecurity topic in 2025, with evolving tactics and increased sophistication. One of the most concerning developments is the rise of Medusa ransomware, a potent strain that has been actively targeting critical infrastructure sectors worldwide
What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a victim’s data, rendering it inaccessible. Attackers demand a ransom, often in cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key. Some variants also steal sensitive information and threaten to release it publicly if the ransom isn’t paid – a tactic known as double extortion.
Ransomware Prevention and Protection Trends in 2025
- Increased Attack Volume: Ransomware attacks have surged, with a significant rise in incidents targeting critical infrastructure sectors such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
- Higher Ransom Demands: Attackers are demanding larger ransoms, with some ranging from $100,000 to $15 million.
- Persistent Threats: Despite efforts to combat ransomware, many organizations continue to fall victim, underscoring the evolving nature of these threats.
Recent emergence of Medusa Ransomware
Medusa is a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) variant first identified in June 2021. Operated by a group known as Spearwing, Medusa employs a double extortion model: encrypting victim data and threatening to release it publicly if the ransom isn’t paid.
As of February 2025, Medusa has impacted over 300 organizations across various sectors, including:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Legal
- Insurance
- Technology
- Manufacturing
Notable recent attacks include:
- HCRG Care Group: In February 2025, Medusa stole 2.275TB of data from this UK-based healthcare provider.
- NASCAR: In April 2025, the organization was targeted with a $4 million ransom demand.
- School Districts: Several U.S. school districts, including Glendale Unified School District in California, have been affected, with demands reaching $1 million.
Attack Methods:
Medusa affiliates typically gain initial access through:
- Phishing campaigns designed to steal user credentials.
- Exploitation of unpatched software vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2024-1709 and CVE-2023-48788
Once inside, attackers use legitimate system tools like PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to move laterally across networks, disable security software, and deploy the ransomware payload.
Below are the services NaviSec offers which your organization can take advantage of to prevent and protect from the increasing threat of ransomware:
- Penetration Testing
- Social Engineering
- CrowdStrike Services
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a simulated cyberattack conducted by security professionals (often called ethical hackers) to find and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and networks – just like a real attacker would.
Think of it as a “friendly hacker” trying to break in, so you know how to stop the bad ones.
How Penetration Testing Helps Against Ransomware
1. Identifies Unpatched Vulnerabilities
Most ransomware attacks begin by exploiting known software vulnerabilities. Penetration tests mimic these techniques to identify:
- Outdated software (e.g., unpatched Windows systems or VPN software)
- Weak configurations (e.g., open RDP ports or default credentials)
- Missing patches for known exploits (like CVE-2024-1709, exploited by Medusa)
2. Tests Credential Security and Access Controls
Ransomware often spreads through stolen or weak credentials. Penetration tests evaluate:
- Weak or reused passwords
- Leaked passwords
- Lack of MFA (multi-factor authentication)
- Overly permissive user roles
3. Evaluates Lateral Movement Risk
Once inside a network, ransomware actors move laterally to infect as many systems as possible. Penetration testing can simulate:
- Movement between workstations
- Unauthorized access to file shares
- Detection evasion using tools like PowerShell
4. Validates Incident Response and Detection
A good penetration test doesn’t just break in – it also checks if you detect and respond appropriately. This includes testing:
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
- Alert escalation processes
5. Highlights Data Exfiltration Risks
Modern ransomware uses double extortion – stealing data before encrypting it. Penetration testers can simulate data theft to assess:
- Whether sensitive data can be accessed and exfiltrated
- If data egress triggers alerts
- Gaps in encryption or data classification
Ransomware actors are relentless, however, penetration testing helps you stay prepared. By mimicking real-world attacks, penetration testing exposes the holes in your defenses before cyber criminals can exploit them. Combined with solid backup strategies, endpoint protection, and employee training, it’s one of the best investments in cybersecurity resilience.
Ready to put your assets to test?
Contact NaviSec today to learn how penetration testing can help your organization identify weaknesses before external threats do so.
Social Engineering
Before diving into the training aspect, let’s quickly break down what phishing and vishing are:
- Phishing: A cyber criminal sends a fake email, often impersonating a trusted organization (like a bank, vendor, or colleague), asking the recipient to click on a link, open an attachment, or provide sensitive information.
- Vishing: Similar to phishing, but over the phone. An attacker might call an employee, pretending to be from IT or a trusted service, and ask for login credentials or other confidential details.
Both tactics rely on manipulating people into making mistakes. Once an employee falls for the scam, ransomware could be unleashed, locking down systems or encrypting valuable data.
The good news? Phishing and vishing simulations can be incredibly effective in training employees to recognize these threats before they cause real damage. Here’s how these simulations work and how they can help protect your organization from ransomware attacks.
What Phishing and Vishing Simulations Look Like at NaviSec?
Phishing and vishing simulations are controlled exercises where a company mimics these types of scams to test how employees respond.
- Phishing Simulations: NaviSec sends out fake phishing emails to approved employees. These emails might appear to be from a trusted source, asking the employee to click on a link and provide their credentials.
- Vishing Simulations: Approved employees are targeted with phone calls that mimic real-world scams. NaviSec asks for sensitive information, such as login details or other relevant sensitive information depending on the targeted employee.
These simulations allow the company to see how employees react and identify areas where additional training is needed.
1. Real-World Training Experience
An employee might receive a phishing email disguised as an urgent request from their bank or a vishing call claiming to be from the company’s IT department. Simulated attacks help employees practice identifying red flags, like:
- Suspicious sender addresses
- Unexpected or urgent requests
- Links or phone numbers that don’t match trusted sources
2. Raising Awareness About Cyber Threats
Phishing and vishing attacks are incredibly common and often go unnoticed by employees who are unaware of how dangerous they can be. Phishing simulations raise awareness by showing employees just how easy it is to be fooled by a well-crafted email or phone call.
Once employees understand the risks, they are much more likely to:
- Question suspicious emails or phone calls
- Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links
- Report potential phishing attempts to the IT department
3. Identifying Weaknesses in Security Awareness
Simulations help companies spot weaknesses in their employees’ awareness of cyber threats. If an employee clicks on a link in a phishing email or shares sensitive information during a vishing call, the company can use this information to improve its training programs.
For example, if a high percentage of employees fall for a phishing email asking for login credentials, the organization might realize that its training didn’t fully cover how to identify fake login requests. In that case, the company can offer targeted follow-up training to address the gap.
4. Creating a Culture of Security
Regular phishing and vishing simulations help build a security-first culture within the organization. When employees know that simulated attacks are part of their training, they become more vigilant and proactive about cybersecurity.
This security-minded culture means employees will be more likely to:
- Double-check unexpected requests for sensitive information
- Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Report suspicious activities rather than ignoring them
5. Reducing the Risk of a Ransomware Attack
At the heart of most ransomware attacks is social engineering – the manipulation of people to gain unauthorized access. If an employee falls for a phishing or vishing attack, ransomware can quickly spread across the network, causing significant damage.
By training employees to recognize phishing and vishing scams, you dramatically lower the chances of ransomware making its way into your organization. With proper training, employees will avoid clicking on malicious links or providing sensitive information over the phone, stopping the attack before it starts.
6. Tracking Progress and Measuring Effectiveness
Phishing and vishing simulations are not just a one-time event – they should be conducted regularly to track progress over time. Companies can measure how employees improve in their ability to spot phishing and vishing attempts, and see where additional training may be needed.
For instance, if an employee who previously fell for multiple phishing emails starts successfully identifying suspicious emails, it shows that the training is working. Regular simulations also help companies adapt to the changing tactics of cyber criminals and stay ahead of evolving threats.
Phishing and vishing simulations are powerful tools in the fight against ransomware. By regularly testing employees and raising awareness about these threats, organizations can reduce the chances of a successful attack. The more trained and prepared your employees are, the less likely it is that ransomware will make its way into your systems.
Ready to increase your employees’ cyber security awareness?
Contact NaviSec today to learn how social engineering simulations can help your organization train employees to be and stay vigilant.
CrowdStrike Services
In the evolving threat landscape, preemptive protection is critical. CrowdStrike stands at the top of endpoint security and threat intelligence, providing unmatched speed and visibility to stop breaches before they can occur.
What is CrowdStrike?
CrowdStrike utilizes artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and real-time sensor telemetry to actively prevent, detect, and respond to security incidents at scale. CrowdStrike Falcon is used globally by large enterprises, governments, and critical infrastructure, assisting in combating ransomware, insider threats, and nation-state attacks.
Why CrowdStrike over other cybersecurity platforms?
- Ransomware Resiliency: CrowdStrike Falcon offers ransomware detection, prevention, and response at scale, protecting against large threats such as Medusa, LockBit, Akira, and BlackBasta ransomware.
- AI/ML-Powered EDR & XDR: With AI and ML-driven Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Extended Detection and Response (XDR), CrowdStrike is able to identify and respond to threats before impact can occur.
CrowdStrike Falcon Prevent (Next-Generation Antivirus)
Falcon Prevent replaces legacy antivirus (AV) with:
- Behavior-based detection that stops both known and unknown security threats.
- Machine learning models that are trained on large amounts of security events.
- As CrowdStrike can detect and prevent based on behavioral-based events, detection based on signature is not necessary.
Why does this matter?: Medusa ransomware often utilizes legitimate tools such as PowerShell or Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) activity. CrowdStrike Falcon can detect and prevent this behavior in real-time, even when a malware file is not present.
How CrowdStrike Helps Against Ransomware Variants Such as Medusa
- Stops Initial Access: Blocks phishing payloads and vulnerable services from being exploited.
- Detects Lateral Movement: Identifies malicious activity through EDR/XDR.
- Disrupts Data Encryption: Alerts, prevents, and quarantines ransomware stubs based on behavior before impact can occur.
- Containment action: NaviSec can respond to these incidents and take containment action on compromised hosts to further contain ongoing security incidents.
Stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape
CrowdStrike enables your organization to detect, prevent, and respond before damage is done.
Ready to defend?
Contact NaviSec today to learn how CrowdStrike can be deployed in your environment and our actions to keep your environment incident-free.
Sources
https://www.sonicwall.com/blog/medusa-ransomware-continues-attacks-on-us-school-districts
https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/medusa-ransomware-hacked-nascar
https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa25-071a
https://www.crowdstrike.com/en-gb/solutions/ransomware-protection/
