Ransomware attackers collected more than $209 million from victims during the first three months of 2016 alone, with the volume of attacks 10 times higher than all of 2015. In addition to the ransom itself, these attacks can exact a heavy cost: business disruption, remediation costs, and a diminished brand.

Ransomware is an old threat that has come roaring back with a new ferocity. This type of malware which gets its name from the payment it demands after locking away victim’s file has quickly become one of the top types of cyber attacks. Nearly a quarter of all email attacks that use malicious document files now feature the ransomware strain Locky.

Why Ransomware is surging?

Ransomware has exploded in recent years because of four primary drivers:

• Attackers have many distribution channels, boosting the chances of success
• It’s cheaper than ever to build
• If provides more lucrative targets that are highly motivated to pay the ransom
• The ransom is easier to collect, thanks to Bitcoin and other digital currency