Hackers Can Steal Your Data in Just 3 Days
According to a recent report from the Sophos X-Ops security team, cyber attackers can access and extract sensitive data within just 72 hours of initiating an attack. The report, based on hundreds of real cases involving ransomware, network intrusions, and digital extortion, reveals alarming trends.
Stolen credentials remain the most common method of infiltration, accounting for 41% of attacks. This is followed by exploited vulnerabilities (21.79%) and brute force attacks (21.07%).
On average, attacks were detected only 2.7 hours after data exfiltration, highlighting the urgent need for real-time monitoring and rapid incident response. A lack of logging and insufficient file movement tracking were among the main reasons for delayed detection.
Key Findings:
- In 27% of attacks, data exfiltration was confirmed.
- Among ransomware victims, this number rose to 43%.
- An additional 14% showed evidence of data collection or possible exfiltration.
John Shier, CISO at Sophos, warns:
"Passive security is no longer enough. Rapid detection and response must be central to any defense strategy."
Ransomware Deployment During Off-Hours
An alarming 88% of ransomware files were deployed outside regular working hours, indicating attackers’ strategic timing to reduce chances of detection.
Legacy Systems: A Major Weak Point
62% of compromised servers were running outdated, unsupported operating systems, making them easy targets for attackers.
Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
In 63% of attacks, MFA was not enabled. Meanwhile, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) — a commonly exploited tool — was abused in 84% of cases, often without sufficient protective layers.
Key Takeaway:
Prevention alone is no longer enough — fast response is critical.
Modern cybersecurity tools like MDR (Managed Detection and Response) and enabling MFA can significantly reduce the time attackers remain undetected in your network.
Source: MedadPress
www.medadpress.ir