FBI issues new ransomware warning

When was the last time you stopped and thought, “What would actually happen if all our business files suddenly became inaccessible?”

That’s exactly the scenario the FBI is warning businesses about right now. They’ve released a new alert about a dangerous ransomware group known as Interlock.

Never heard of them? Here’s what matters.

Interlock only emerged in September 2024, but they’ve quickly gained attention for targeting businesses and critical infrastructure across North America and Europe.

Their motive is simple: money. Their attack pattern is brutal but effective. They break into your systems, quietly steal sensitive data, encrypt everything, and then demand a ransom with a tight deadline. If you refuse to pay, they threaten to publish your stolen files on the dark web.

This kind of double-extortion has become common, but Interlock is proving especially aggressive.

Their entry tactics are convincing. Fake browser updates, bogus security prompts, malicious websites, and other tricks designed to make someone click without thinking. Once inside, they deploy multiple malicious tools to spy, steal passwords, move laterally across your network, and lock down your data.

They also don’t discriminate. They’ve built tools to hit both Windows and Linux systems, meaning almost any organisation could become a target.

You might assume attacks like this only hit major corporations. Unfortunately, SMEs are prime targets. Attackers know smaller businesses often have fewer protections and limited security budgets, making them easier to breach.

Now imagine losing access to client records, financial data, or critical operational files. Even if you eventually recover, the damage to your reputation and client trust can be just as costly as the downtime itself.

So what can you do?

According to the FBI, the most effective protections include:

• Keeping all systems patched and up to date to prevent attackers exploiting old vulnerabilities.
• Enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible. That extra code after your password blocks a huge number of attacks.
• Using web filtering and strong firewalls to stop malicious sites reaching your users.
• Segmenting your network so a single breach doesn’t bring down your entire environment.
• Investing in modern security tools that can detect suspicious activity early and shut it down fast.

It might sound technical, but taking action now is far easier and far cheaper than recovering from a ransomware attack. The FBI doesn’t issue warnings like this without reason. Interlock is active, expanding, and here to stay for the foreseeable future.

If you want help strengthening your defences and keeping your business safe, get in touch.