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Sophos CryptoGuard Technology Reveals How Attackers Increased Their Use of Remote Ransomware by 62% Annually
Sophos, a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, has released a report, titled “CryptoGuard: An Asymmetric Approach to the Ransomware Battle,” which found that some of the most prolific and active ransomware groups, including Akira, ALPHV/BlackCat, LockBit, Royal, Black Basta, are deliberately switching on remote encryption for their attacks.
In remote encryption attacks, also known as remote ransomware, adversaries leverage a compromised and often underprotected endpoint to encrypt data on other devices connected to the same network.
Sophos CryptoGuard is the anti-ransomware technology that Sophos acquired in 2015* and is included in all Sophos Endpoint licenses. CryptoGuard monitors the malicious encryption of files and provides immediate protection and rollback capabilities, including when the ransomware itself never appears on a protected host.
The unique anti-ransomware technology is a last line of defense in Sophos’ layered endpoint protection, only activating if an adversary triggers it later in the attack chain.
CryptoGuard detected a 62% year-over-year increase in intentional remote encryption attacks since 2022.
“Companies can have thousands of computers connected to their network, and with remote ransomware, all it takes is one underprotected device to compromise the entire network. Attackers know this, so they hunt for that one ‘weak spot’—and most companies have at least one. Remote encryption is going to stay a perennial problem for defenders, and based, on the alerts we’ve seen, the attack method is steadily increasing,” said Mark Loman, vice president, threat research at Sophos, and the co-creator of CryptoGuard.
Since this type of attack involves encrypting files remotely, traditional anti-ransomware protection methods deployed on remote devices don’t “see” the malicious files or their activity, failing to protect them from unauthorized encryption and potential data loss. Sophos CryptoGuard technology, however, takes an innovative approach to stopping remote ransomware, as explained in the Sophos X-Ops article: analyzing the contents of files to see if any data became encrypted to detect ransomware activity on any device in a network, even if there is no malware on the device.
In 2013, CryptoLocker was the first prolific ransomware to utilize remote encryption with asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key cryptography. Since then, adversaries have been able to escalate the use of ransomware, due to ubiquitous, ongoing security gaps at organizations worldwide and the advent of cryptocurrency.
“When we first noticed CryptoLocker taking advantage of remote encryption ten years ago, we foresaw that this tactic was going to become a challenge for defenders. Other solutions focus on detecting malicious binaries or execution. In the case of remote encryption, the malware and execution reside on a different computer (unprotected) than the one having the files encrypted. The only way to stop it is watching the files and protecting them. That’s why we innovated CryptoGuard,” said Loman.
“CryptoGuard does not hunt for ransomware; instead, it zeroes in on the primary targets—the files. It applies mathematical scrutiny to documents, detecting signs of manipulation and encryption. Notably, this autonomous strategy deliberately does not depend on indicators of breach, threat signatures, artificial intelligence, cloud lookups, or prior knowledge to be effective. By focusing on the files, we can change the power balance between the attackers and the defenders. We’re increasing the cost and complexity for the attackers to successfully encrypt data, so that they will abandon their objectives. This is a part of our asymmetric defense approach strategy.
“Remote ransomware is a prominent problem for organizations, and it is contributing to the longevity of ransomware in general. Given that reading data over a network connection is slower than from a local disk, we have seen attackers, like LockBit and Akira, strategically encrypt only a fraction of each file. This approach aims to maximize impact in minimal time, further reducing the window for defenders to notice the attack and respond. Sophos’ approach to anti-ransomware technology stops both remote attacks and those that encrypt just 3% of a file. We’re hoping to inform defenders about this persistent attack method, so they can properly protect devices.”
For more information, read “CryptoGuard: An Asymmetric Approach to the Ransomware Battle” on Sophos.com.
Millions of citizens across Africa are being denied access to essential services due to the rapid imposition of biometric digital-ID systems, a new report by the African Digital Rights Network has revealed.
Biometric
The study, published by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), found that citizens are increasingly required to provide biometric and personal information as a condition for accessing fundamental rights and government services such as voting, education, healthcare, and social protection payments.
According to the report, marginalised groups including persons with disabilities, the illiterate, and those unable to afford mobile data or electricity for phone charging face significant barriers to registration, deepening existing inequalities.
It noted that many citizens also refuse to enrol due to fears of data breaches and mistrust of governments, with biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition raising privacy concerns.
Dr Tony Roberts, Research Fellow at IDS and co-editor of the report, said: “Worryingly, fundamental human rights, like education, healthcare and the right to vote are rapidly becoming conditional on enrolment in biometric digital-ID systems.”
He added that some visually impaired citizens are forced to pay others to help them use their digital-ID on mobile phones to access social protection payments.
‘Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative and co-editor of the report, said: “Many citizens do not want to enrol for a biometric digital-ID because they have good reason not to trust their governments with their biometrics and personal information.”
The report highlighted examples of massive data breaches and cases where personal data was used to surveil critics and opposition leaders.
It warned that most systems, estimated to cost at least US$1 billion across Africa, lack adequate legal frameworks, robust digital security, and accountability mechanisms for remedy when errors or breaches occur.
The authors concluded that governments must adopt strong legislation to protect citizens’ rights and privacy before rolling out biometric IDs, stressing that systems should be developed with citizen participation rather than imposed top-down.
The report, Biometric Digital-ID in Africa: Progress and Challenges to Date – Ten Country Case Studies, covers Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Tunisia.
Senator Natasha Akpoti has emerged as the most searched personality in Nigeria, according to Google’s 2025 Year in Search report, which highlights the interests and concerns that shaped the nation’s online activity during the year.
The report showed that political conversations dominated searches, with Akpoti’s prominence underscoring the intensity of national discourse. Nigerians also followed global developments closely, including the Israel-Iran War and the United States elections.
The country mourned the passing of former whose deaths prompted widespread searches recalling their legacies and contributions to national life.
Entertainment trends reflected Nigeria’s cultural vibrancy, with gospel hit “Oluwatosin (Jesus Is Enough)” by Tkeyz featuring Steve Hills topping charts, alongside Afrobeats collaborations such as Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You.” Director Kemi Adetiba and the local series “To Kill a Monkey” also drew significant attention.
Google noted that Nigerians displayed curiosity in language and lifestyle, decoding slang like “Labubu” and exploring recipes ranging from Pornstar Martini to traditional Chinchin.
Technology searches were led by interest in the iPhone 17 and Tecno Pop 10, reflecting the country’s embrace of new devices.
“This data offers a real-time window into the Nigerian psyche in 2025, showing a nation engaged, reflective, and creatively vibrant,” said Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications Manager for West Africa.
14-year-old Oreoluwa Alayande has been crowned the winner of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee 2025, following a thrilling grand finale that saw the top 20 contestants from schools across the country compete head-to-head.
MTN mPulse 2025 Spelling Bee
The grand finale of the MTN mPulse Spelling Bee 2025 competition was held on Saturday, November 29, at the MTN Plaza Rooftop. The event also had in attendance the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Opeyemi Eniola and mPulse Spelling Bee 2024 winner, Ikenna Ikechukwu.
As the 2025 MTN mPulse Champion, Oreoluwa was awarded an Educational Grant of N5 Million Naira, the opportunity to be the MTN CEO for a Day, a brand new laptop and smartphone, and the title of the face of mPulse for a year. Her victory also benefits her school, which will receive a N10 Million flagship gift, 10 laptops, and 10 MTN 5G routers, while her teacher receives a N500,000 cash prize.
Oreoluwa, a student of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, expressed her gratitude. “I’d like to use this opportunity to thank MTN for providing a platform that empowers youths and increases the vocabulary of students,” she said. “I’d also like to thank my family, everyone who has supported me so far, and my school,” she said.
Speaking at the grand finale, Babatunde Oyeleye, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, MTN Nigeria, acknowledged the parents and teachers. “Every year, we bring you all together to see who becomes the exceptional speller in Nigeria, and the participants always perform exceptionally,” Oyeleye stated. “I’d like to say a big thank you to the parents and the teachers. You dedicate your time to nurturing these children, and the feeling of pride is always evident on your faces. We are glad to be enablers of that smile and pride you feel,” Oyeleye said.
The second position, Samuel Babalola, was rewarded with a N2.5 Million Educational Grant, 1 laptop, and 1 smartphone, with his teacher receiving an N300,000 cash prize. Levi Kelechi Ebisike, in third place, won a N1.5 Million Educational Grant, 1 laptop, and 1 smartphone, along with an N200,000 cash prize for his teacher.
The grand finale was streamed live on the MTN Nigeria YouTube channel and on the Holiday Channel 198 on both DStv and GOtv, allowing Nigerians nationwide to watch the brilliant spellers.
The MTN mPulse Spelling Bee continues to be one of Nigeria’s most impactful development initiatives, reiterating MTN’s commitment to promoting literacy and digital inclusivity. The competition, a flagship initiative under the MTN mPulse umbrella, is designed to foster digital literacy, academic excellence, and healthy competition among Nigerian students.
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