A single click on the wrong file, one convincing-looking email attachment, or an overlooked security gap; that’s all it takes for ransomware to slip in. Suddenly, your team is locked out of critical systems, and your business is at a standstill, facing a ransom demand you never saw coming.
Ransomware has grown far beyond a technical issue. It’s now one of the most disruptive threats to modern businesses, capable of halting operations and damaging reputations in a matter of hours. Yet many companies still underestimate how vulnerable they are, until it’s too late.
Let’s take a closer look at how these attacks work, and how you can stay ahead using a more effective way to catch ransomware before it causes harm.
When Ransomware Hits: The True Cost of an Attack
Ransomware can do far more than just lock your files; it can stop your business in its tracks. The damage often extends well beyond IT, affecting every part of the organization:
- Operations come to a halt. Teams lose access to the tools and systems they rely on.
- Revenue drops fast. Every hour of downtime affects sales, projects, and productivity.
- Sensitive data is exposed. Many attacks now include data theft, not just encryption.
- Reputation takes a hit. Clients and partners lose trust when services go down or data leaks.
- Recovery is costly. Restoring systems, investigating the breach, and rebuilding trust takes time and money.
The Best Defense Is a Fast Detection
When ransomware slips into your network, every minute matters. The longer it stays hidden, the more systems it can lock, the more data it can steal and the more expensive the cleanup becomes.
That’s why early detection is so important. You need to catch the threat before it has a chance to spread. And that means actually seeing how a suspicious file behaves.
An interactive malware sandbox gives you that visibility. It lets your team safely run and interact with suspicious files in a controlled environment; open them, click through fake prompts, follow their behavior step by step.
Instead of guessing what a file might do, you see exactly how it acts: which files it touches, what network connections it tries to make, and whether it’s part of a ransomware attack. This kind of hands-on visibility is one of the most effective ways to detect threats early and stop them before they can do real damage.
Real Case: How a Sandbox Helped Detect Maze Ransomware
Let’s look at what detecting a real ransomware threat looks like inside an interactive sandbox.
View analysis session with Maze Ransomware
Maze ransomware analyzed inside interactive ANY.RUN sandbox
In this case, a file was uploaded to ANY.RUN sandbox. Immediately after running the analysis session, the sandbox displayed a clear red warning in the top-right corner: “Malicious activity”, along with relevant labels like Maze and ransomware, giving security teams instant clarity to act before the threat spreads.
Instant verdict of “Malicious activity” by ANY.RUN sandbox
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During the analysis, we see how the background changed and a ransom note appeared, informing the user that their files had been encrypted using RSA-2048 and ChaCha algorithms. The attackers offered to decrypt three files for free as “proof of work,” encouraging the victim to buy the full decryption tool.
Background change with the ransom note displayed inside ANY.RUN sandbox
ANY.RUN displays a list of recommended actions; hints that help trigger and observe malicious behavior. These suggestions guide analysts through the analysis flow: launching the file, clicking on pop-ups, opening dropped documents, and more.
Even junior analysts can confidently move through the investigation, while experienced ones save time by skipping the guesswork.
Actions needed to move forward
You can approve or reject each action, giving full control over the analysis. This interactive approach helps uncover threats that would otherwise stay dormant if not properly executed.
On the right side, the process tree lays out every step the malware takes, with MITRE ATT&CK tactics and techniques linked to each one. For Maze, here’s what stood out:
The malicious process of Maze along with relevant techniques and tactics
- T1490 – Inhibit System Recovery
Deletes shadow copies to prevent recovery, helping IT spot sabotage before it’s too late. - T1486 – Data Encrypted for Impact
Encrypts and renames files, giving clear signs of ransomware so teams can isolate the threat fast. - T1137 – Office Application Startup
Drops malicious files into Word’s startup folder, revealing reinfection methods through everyday tools. - T1547.001 – Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder
Creates persistence via startup entries, showing how the malware stays active after reboot.
You can explore each technique and see exactly how it was used in the attack by clicking on the ATT&CK button inside the sandbox. It links directly to MITRE’s full description, helping analysts of all levels understand what each tactic means and how it impacts the system.
For example, in this case, the Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder technique (T1547.001) shows how the malware creates persistence by placing malicious files in startup locations. The sandbox highlights the process path, timestamps, and related behaviors, making it easier to connect the dots and respond effectively.
Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder technique with all its details inside ANY.RUN
In addition to process behavior, the sandbox also shows detailed network activity and threats detected during the analysis. In this case, Suricata flagged the Maze ransomware as a network trojan, identifying suspicious outbound communication with external IPs and linking it to the T1486 – Data Encrypted for Impact technique.
Suricata rule triggered by Maze ransomware
This level of visibility helps security teams detect data exfiltration attempts, track attacker infrastructure, and block malicious connections before sensitive information leaves the network.
Protect Your Business with Faster Threat Detection
As you can see, detecting ransomware doesn’t have to be complicated. With ANY.RUN’s interactive sandbox, everything is laid out for you; malicious behavior, network activity, MITRE techniques, and guided steps to move the analysis forward. No digging through raw logs. No waiting for alerts to escalate.
You get instant clarity, actionable insights, and a faster path to containment.
- Cut investigation time from hours to minutes
- Respond faster to real threats before they spread
- Help your team, regardless of skill level, analyze complex malware confidently
- Reduce recovery costs by stopping ransomware early
- Protect your business, data, and reputation with clear visibility
Sign up with your business email and start seeing threats before they become problems.
Get started with ANY.RUN now.
