How to Defend Against Modern Ransomware Threats in 2026

Introduction

Ransomware remains one of the most persistent and adaptive cyberthreats, even as attack volumes show a slight decline. In 2026, cybercriminals are employing more sophisticated tactics, from post-quantum cryptography to encryptionless extortion, and actively targeting endpoint defenses before deploying their payloads. This step-by-step guide, based on Kaspersky's annual report released on International Anti-Ransomware Day (May 12), will help your organization build a resilient defense against these evolving threats. By following these steps, you can reduce the likelihood of a successful ransomware attack and minimize potential damage.

What You Need

• Current security software – Endpoint protection platforms (EPP) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions with regular updates.
• Vulnerability management tools – Software to scan for and patch known vulnerabilities, especially in remote access solutions.
• Backup infrastructure – Offline or immutable backups stored separately from the main network.
• Remote access security measures – Multi-factor authentication (MFA), VPNs, and strict access controls for RDWeb and other remote portals.
• Incident response plan – Documented procedures for containing and recovering from ransomware incidents.
• Employee training materials – Regular phishing simulations and awareness programs.
• Quantum-ready cryptography awareness – Understanding of post-quantum cryptographic standards and their implications.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Evolving Threat Landscape

Before implementing defenses, you must recognize the latest trends. In 2025, the share of organizations affected by ransomware decreased across all regions, yet the risk remains high due to refined tactics. For example, manufacturing alone suffered over $18 billion in losses in the first three quarters of 2025. Initial access brokers (IABs) now focus heavily on compromising RDWeb instances to gain entry. Some groups have also moved to encryptionless extortion, threatening to leak data if ransoms aren't paid. Finally, newer families are adopting post-quantum cryptography, such as ML-KEM, making data decryption nearly impossible without paying. Regularly review threat intelligence reports, such as Kaspersky's annual analysis, to stay informed.

Step 2: Strengthen Endpoint Defenses Against EDR Killers

Ransomware operators now prioritize neutralizing endpoint defenses before executing their payloads. They use tools called “EDR killers” that exploit vulnerable signed drivers (BYOVD – Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver) to terminate security processes and disable monitoring. To counter this:

• Keep all drivers and software updated, and block known vulnerable driver lists using built-in Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or third-party tools.
• Deploy EDR solutions that include behavioral detection and driver blocklisting.
• Enable tamper protection on security software to prevent unauthorized termination of processes.
• Conduct regular red team exercises to test how well your defenses withstand EDR killer attempts.

Step 3: Prepare for Post‑Quantum Cryptography Threats

Advanced ransomware groups have started using post-quantum encryption, such as the ML-KEM standard found in the PE32 ransomware family. This makes traditional decryption tools ineffective. While full-scale quantum computing is not yet widespread, the threat is real:

• Review your cryptographic inventory and plan a migration to quantum-resistant algorithms by following NIST guidelines.
• Use hybrid encryption where possible, combining classical and post-quantum methods to future-proof data.
• Ensure backup systems can restore data without relying on decryption of the live system.
• Stay updated on ransomware families that adopt post-quantum ciphers; report sightings to authorities.

Step 4: Secure Remote Access – Especially RDWeb

IABs increasingly target RDWeb (Remote Desktop Web Access) as their preferred initial access vector. To harden this entry point:

• Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all RDWeb logins.
• Implement conditional access policies to restrict logins from unusual locations or devices.
• Regularly patch RDWeb and its underlying Internet Information Services (IIS) components.
• Replace RDWeb with a more secure remote access solution, such as a zero-trust network access (ZTNA) platform, if feasible.
• Monitor logs for repeated failed login attempts or anomalous connection patterns.

Step 5: Implement Robust Backup and Recovery Plans

Given that encryptionless extortion and quantum‑resistant encryption may render decryption impossible, reliable backups are your last line of defense:

• Maintain the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies, on two different media, with one copy off-site.
• Use immutable storage (e.g., write‑once, read‑many) to prevent attackers from encrypting or deleting backups.
• Test recovery procedures quarterly to ensure you can restore critical systems within acceptable downtime.
• Include a dedicated backup for configuration files and Active Directory, as these are often targeted.

Step 6: Monitor and Respond to Encryptionless Extortion

With ransom payments dropping, some groups now skip encryption entirely and threaten to publish stolen data. To counter this:

• Deploy data loss prevention (DLP) solutions to detect and block unauthorized exfiltration.
• Segment your network to limit the spread of lateral movement and data access.
• Have a crisis communication plan ready for potential data leaks, including legal and PR responses.
• Encourage employees to report any suspicious activity that could indicate data theft.
• Engage with law enforcement and cybersecurity firms if extortion occurs; many groups bluff about having data.

Tips for Ongoing Protection

• Stay proactive, not reactive. Ransomware tactics evolve quickly; subscribe to threat intelligence feeds and join industry information-sharing groups.
• Conduct regular tabletop exercises that simulate ransomware scenarios, including EDR killer attacks and data extortion.
• Use the principle of least privilege – limit user and service accounts to only necessary permissions to reduce blast radius.
• Audit your remote access logs weekly for anomalies, especially RDWeb connections from unexpected geographies.
• Never assume you're safe because attack volumes decreased; the sophistication of attacks has increased significantly.
• Consider cyber insurance with clear ransomware coverage, but don't rely on it exclusively—it should complement your technical defenses.

By following these six steps, your organization can build a layered defense against the ransomware threats of 2026. Remember, no security measure is foolproof, but a combination of prevention, detection, and robust recovery will significantly reduce your risk.