The Register: Ransomware crews don’t care about your endpoint security – they’ve already killed it

Aug 14, 2025

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Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/14/edr_killers_ransomware/
Source: The Register
Title: Ransomware crews don’t care about your endpoint security – they’ve already killed it

Feedly Summary: Some custom malware, some legit software tools
At least a dozen ransomware gangs have incorporated kernel-level EDR killers into their malware arsenal, allowing them to bypass almost every major endpoint security tool on the market, escalate privileges, and ultimately steal and encrypt data before extorting victims into paying a ransom.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text highlights a concerning trend in cybersecurity where ransomware gangs are leveraging advanced techniques to enhance their malware capabilities. By incorporating kernel-level EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) killers, these attackers can effectively evade security measures, escalate privileges, and execute their data theft and encryption schemes with greater efficiency. This information is critical for security professionals focusing on endpoint security and ransomware threats.

Detailed Description: The emergence of sophisticated malware techniques represents a significant challenge for cybersecurity professionals. The following points summarize the core aspects of the text:

– **Ransomware Evolution**: At least a dozen ransomware gangs have evolved their methodologies by integrating kernel-level EDR killers. This highlights an escalating arms race between cybercriminals and cybersecurity defenses.
– **Bypassing Security Protocols**: The incorporation of these advanced techniques allows malware to bypass major endpoint security tools, which poses a serious risk to organizations relying on traditional security measures.
– **Privilege Escalation**: The ability to escalate privileges means that attackers can gain deeper access to systems, potentially compromising sensitive data and critical infrastructures.
– **Data Theft and Encryption**: The ultimate goal of these attacks is to steal and encrypt data, which results in organizations facing extortion demands to regain access to their critical information.
– **Implications for Security Professionals**: This trend necessitates a reevaluation of current endpoint security strategies and could signal a shift towards adopting more advanced and proactive security measures, such as enhanced monitoring and detection capabilities.

In conclusion, security professionals must stay vigilant and adopt robust strategies to counter these evolving threats, including investing in next-generation security technologies, improving incident response protocols, and conducting regular training for employees to recognize and prevent ransomware attacks.

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