The Attack: Multiple Entry Points, Same File System Dependency
The TechCity article walks through a typical 2026 ransomware attack sequence: phishing email delivers malware, attacker gains foothold, moves laterally across network, encrypts files on local drives and network shares, and targets backup systems.
The article makes an important technical observation: “Ransomware has to write encrypted versions of your files to your hard drive. That’s how it works. There’s no way around it.”
That’s correct. And that’s the problem with most security tools — they’re trying to recognize the ransomware after it’s already running and writing to disk. At that point, you’re in a race between detection and encryption. Sometimes you win. Often you don’t.
The article describes several stages where the attack could be stopped:
- Initial payload delivery (phishing attachment, fake download, compromised remote access)
- Lateral movement to other systems via network shares
- Encryption of local files
- Encryption of network-attached backup drives
Every one of these involves writing files to a Windows file system. Every one can be intercepted at the kernel level before the write completes.
How FileSure Blocks It Before Encryption Starts
FileSure Defend operates as a Windows kernel filter driver. It sits between applications and the file system, intercepting every file operation before it reaches the disk.
When ransomware attempts to write its payload to disk — whether delivered via email attachment, browser download, or compromised RDP session — FileSure evaluates the operation against your policy rules before allowing it to complete.
A typical rule set for ransomware prevention:
- File name filter: *.exe, *.dll, *.scr, *.bat, *.ps1, *.vbs
- Program name filter: outlook.exe, chrome.exe, firefox.exe, mstsc.exe (any delivery vector)
- Operations: Create, Write
- Action: Block and log
Translation: email clients, browsers, and remote access programs are not authorized to write executable files to disk. When ransomware tries to land, the write operation is blocked. The payload never executes.
The article notes that “some attackers also remain inside a network for a period before taking action” and that “poorly protected backups can also become targets.”
FileSure addresses both. Lateral movement typically involves writing files to remote SMB shares — that’s a write operation FileSure intercepts. And permanently mounted backup drives are just another volume where unauthorized write operations can be blocked.
The article correctly observes that “there is no guarantee that paying will solve the problem.” The better approach: prevent the ransomware from writing encrypted files in the first place.
This works on ransomware variants that don’t exist yet, because FileSure doesn’t rely on recognizing the threat. It controls what programs are allowed to do to your files. A new variant released this morning is stopped the same way as one from five years ago.
No signature update required. No waiting for your vendor to catch up. Works even when you’re offline or disconnected from your management server.
See It Working
Install FileSure on a test system. Download our harmless test file that mimics ransomware behavior. Watch the write operation get blocked and logged in real time.
Then open a Word document. Watch that get recorded too. That’s the whole product. It works exactly like that, every time.
Start your free 21-day trial at bystorm.com — 1 server, 10 workstations, no credit card required.
Source: How Ransomware Actually Works and How to Not Become a Victim
Category: Ransomware
Tags: ransomware, file encryption, kernel filter driver, zero-day protection, backup protection, lateral movement, file system security, windows security
