Stop the Crazy Game: Why Detect-and-Respond Isn’t Enough
Recent reporting by BleepingComputer shines a harsh light on a new breed of ransomware threat. The Crypto24 group is not just another ransomware gang—they’re orchestrating high-value attacks using custom-built tools that blind your security systems before launching devastating payloads. BleepingComputer
These well-organized attackers don’t rush in with encryption. Instead, they infiltrate silently, escalate privileges, disable security software, exfiltrate data—and only then strike. That’s right, they’re playing the long game.
Highlights of Crypto24’s Attack Chain:
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Account misuse and persistence: They reactivate default admin accounts or create new ones, then deploy malicious services and scheduled tasks to maintain footholds.
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EDR bypass with custom tools: Using a customized RealBlindingEDR variant, Crypto24 disables kernel-level hooks across dozens of security vendors, including Trend Micro, Kaspersky, Sophos, SentinelOne, McAfee, Bitdefender, Cisco, Fortinet, and more.
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Abuse of legitimate IT tools: They exploit Windows Group Policy via gpscript.exe to run Trend Vision One’s legitimate uninstaller, further undermining defenses.
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Silent exfiltration: They deploy keyloggers disguised as “Microsoft Help Manager,” capture keystrokes and active window titles, then exfiltrate data using Google Drive. Everything is staged carefully—even sending a “Test.txt” file as a preliminary check.
The moral here? Detection-centric strategies simply aren’t keeping pace with adversaries who meticulously dismantle them from within.
Move From Detect-and-Respond to Isolation + Containment
Playing checkers while your adversary plays chess isn't a fair game. Detecting threats after they've infiltrated your network is too little, too late. Crypto24’s stealthy, layered strategy makes that crystal clear.
Enter AppGuard—a proven endpoint protection solution with a decade of real-world success. Instead of focusing on detecting threats after the fact, AppGuard isolates and contains—preventing unauthorized behaviors before they can cause harm.
AppGuard’s Core Advantages:
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Proven track record: With 10 years in the field, AppGuard has repeatedly shown its ability to stop advanced threats in their tracks.
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Containment-first approach: Rather than allowing malicious code to run and then reacting, AppGuard isolates processes and limits what’s allowed to execute—blocking lateral movement, escalation, and EDR tampering.
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Robust defense posture: Even sophisticated custom tools like RealBlindingEDR find no leverage when processes are contained, and only known safe behaviors are allowed.
Case in Point: Is AppGuard the Safe Bet Against Crypto24?
Absolutely. While Neo-EDR bypass tools and “living-off-the-land” tactics can disable detection systems, they can’t override hardware-enforced process isolation or behavioral containment. AppGuard makes it nearly impossible for adversaries to execute the kind of reconnaissance, persistence, exfiltration, and payload execution that define Crypto24’s attacks.
Stop Playing the Crazy Game
Your network doesn’t have to be a battlefield.
Stop playing the crazy detect-and-respond game. Come over to the App Guard way of doing things.
Call to Action:
If you're a business owner committed to not just reacting—but staying one step ahead—talk to us at CHIPS about how AppGuard can transform your endpoint protection: moving you from a vulnerable detect-and-respond posture to a resilient isolation-and-containment strategy. Let’s cut off threats before they cut into your business.
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