---
title: [Infographic] The Ransomware Epidemic
description: Ransomware is a computer virus that encrypts files on computers. View this infographic to learn about the ransomware epidemic
---

[Prosource | Business Technology Blog](https://blog.totalprosource.com)

# [\[Infographic\] The Ransomware Epidemic](https://blog.totalprosource.com/infographic-the-ransomware-epidemic)

 Written by [Danielle Hoverman](https://blog.totalprosource.com/author/danielle-hoverman) | 11/21/17 3:06 PM

Ransomware is a computer virus that encrypts files on computers, and is distributed through phishing emails where an unsuspecting computer user clicks a link in what appears to be a legitimate email from a trusted source. When the link is clicked, the infection is instantly installed on the user’s computer. According to nearly 100% of IT service providers surveyed, attacks against small businesses are becoming more frequent, a trend that will continue over the next 2 years.

**\[You Might Also Like: Blog Article - ["A Closer Look at Ransomware"](https://blog.totalprosource.com/a-closer-look-at-ransomware)\]**

<https://blog.totalprosource.com/hubfs/Ransomware%20Epidemic%20Infographic.jpg>

- 91% of IT service providers reported recent attacks against small businesses.
- 40% of IT service providers reported 6+ attacks in early 2016.
- 31% of IT service providers reported multiple attacks in a single day.
- In 2017, global ransomware damage costs are predicted to exceed $5 billion. That’s up from $325 million and  
  more than 15x since 2015.
- It is growing at a yearly rate of 350% and the U.S. accounts for over 50% of all attacks.
- On Friday, May 12, 2017, the world was hit by a fast-moving Cryptoware infection, Wannacrypt. Over 81,000 infections were reported globally within 12 hours.
- Telefonica, Spain's largest telecom company, reported that they would have to pay $500,000 to unlock all encrypted files on their network. 

**\[You Might Also Like: Blog Article - ["WanaCrypt: How a Layered Approach to Security Protected Prosource Customers From a Global Outbreak](https://blog.totalprosource.com/wanacrypt-how-a-layered-approach-to-security-protected-prosource-customers-from-a-global-ransomware-outbreak)\]**

“The WannaCrypy attack is the largest we’ve ever seen of its kind, demonstrating in real time that ransomware continues to escalate as a global problem and a lucrative business for cyber criminals.” - Mike Fey, President & CEO of Symantec

All statistics provided by: Datto’s 2016 Ransomware Report, [Cyber Security Ventures](https://cybersecurityventures.com/ransomware-damage-report-2017-5-billion/), [Cisco 2017 Annual Cyber Security Report ](http://b2me.cisco.com/en-us-annual-cybersecurity-report-2017)

[View full post](https://blog.totalprosource.com/infographic-the-ransomware-epidemic)

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