Understanding ransomware in a playful way

Understanding ransomware in a playful way (Image GData)

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Companies that fall victim to a ransomware attack often struggle with the effects, such as network failures and lost sales, for months. A new series of games imparts knowledge on the topic.

Effective protection against ransomware is essential. In order to specifically sensitize employees to the topic, the G DATA academy is supplementing the security awareness training with a new series of games on ransomware. What's special: The playful approach ensures effective and sustainable learning.

According to the BSI's current management report, ransomware is and remains the greatest threat to companies' IT security. One problem: Many employees lack the necessary specialist knowledge to be aware of the danger. So that companies can educate their staff about the increasing threat posed by ransomware, the G DATA academy is now offering a new learning series.

Understanding ransomware

“With this series, we convey important knowledge about ransomware in a playful way because these attacks pose a serious threat to companies,” says Christian Laber, Head of E-Learning Development at the G DATA academy at G DATA CyberDefense. “In this way, we enable employees to understand the problem and to protect themselves and their company from cyberattacks in the real world. The training is very effective and sustainable due to the method used.”

In four interactive games, employees gradually build up knowledge - from rudimentary basic knowledge (“What is ransomware?”) to effective methodological knowledge (“How do I recognize and prevent ransomware?”). Each game lasts 10 to 15 minutes and can therefore be easily integrated into everyday work. The training series is now available as an add-on in the G DATA academy.

Play and learn in retro style

The training series is designed in retro style as an 8-bit game and gives learners a full feel for the increasing threat of cyber attacks, especially with a focus on ransomware attacks. The playful approach makes the complex topic of ransomware tangible and tangible.

The protagonist of the game series is Martin, who installs ransomware due to a careless click and is drawn into the “deep cyber world”, a circuit board world. In this parallel world he meets the villain Randy Ransom and his accomplices, for example “NotPetya” or the “Ransomworm”. Each villain represents a specific type of ransomware. The goal is to find these opponents, render them harmless, and ultimately defeat Randy Ransom as the main villain. All locations and characters are based on real extortion Trojans and their history.

Award-winning game series

Back in June 2023, the Society for Pedagogy, Information and Media (GPI) awarded the ransomware series with the Comenius EduMedia seal in the “Digital Game-Based Educational Media (CKP)” category at this year’s Comenius Award. Proof that security awareness training with storytelling and gamification has a lasting learning effect.

Go directly to the demo version on GData.com

 


About G Data

With comprehensive cyber defense services, the inventor of the anti-virus enables companies to defend themselves against cybercrime. Over 500 employees ensure the digital security of companies and users. Made in Germany: With over 30 years of expertise in malware analysis, G DATA conducts research and software development exclusively in Germany. The highest standards of data protection are paramount. In 2011, G DATA issued a “no backdoor” guarantee with the “IT Security Made in Germany” seal of trust from TeleTrust eV. G DATA offers a portfolio from anti-virus and endpoint protection to penetration tests and incident response to forensic analyzes, security status checks and cyber awareness training to defend companies effectively. New technologies such as DeepRay use artificial intelligence to protect against malware. Service and support are part of the G DATA campus in Bochum. G DATA solutions are available in 90 countries and have received numerous awards.


 

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