Why Cyber Attacks are increasing for Law firms

Law firms are attractive targets for cybercriminals, as they hold sensitive and valuable information about their clients, such as personal data, financial records, intellectual property, and legal strategies. Law firms also handle large amounts of money, which can be diverted or stolen by hackers. According to a report by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the legal sector was particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks in 2023 ¹.

The cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving, and law firms face a variety of attacks, such as ransomware, phishing, multi-factor faking, and artificial intelligence (AI). In this blog post, we will explain what these attacks are, how they affect law firms, and what steps law firms can take to protect themselves and their clients.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data and demands a ransom for its decryption. If the ransom is not paid, the data may be deleted or leaked online. Ransomware attacks can cause significant disruption, reputational damage, and financial losses for law firms. For example, in 2022, Tuckers Solicitors was fined almost £100,000 after a ransomware attack led to organised criminals publishing sensitive court bundles on the dark web ².

Ransomware attacks are becoming more sophisticated and targeted, as cybercriminals use various techniques to infiltrate law firms’ networks, such as phishing, exploiting vulnerabilities, or compromising third-party service providers. Some ransomware variants also have the ability to spread across the network and infect other devices, such as backups, servers, or cloud services.

To prevent ransomware attacks, law firms should implement the following measures:

Keep all systems and software updated and patched to fix any security flaws.
Use antivirus software and firewalls to block malicious files and traffic.
Backup data regularly and store it offline or in a separate location.
Educate staff on how to spot and avoid phishing emails and malicious attachments or links.
Do not pay the ransom, as this does not guarantee the recovery of the data and may encourage further attacks.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that involves sending fraudulent emails or messages that appear to come from a legitimate source, such as a client, a colleague, or a trusted organisation. The aim of phishing is to trick the recipient into clicking on a malicious link, opening a malicious attachment, or providing sensitive information, such as login credentials, bank details, or personal data.

Phishing is one of the most common and effective ways of compromising law firms’ security, as it exploits human psychology and curiosity. Phishing can lead to various consequences, such as data breaches, identity theft, fraud, or ransomware infections. For example, in 2024, Snowball & Jackson (SSJ), a small firm in County Durham, was publicly rebuked by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after criminals accessed an employee’s email account through a phishing attack and accessed probate funds ³.

Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated and personalised, as cybercriminals use various sources of information, such as social media, websites, or public records, to craft convincing and relevant messages that appeal to the recipient’s emotions, interests, or needs.

To prevent phishing attacks, law firms should implement the following measures:

Use email security software and spam filters to detect and block suspicious emails.
Verify the sender’s identity and the authenticity of the message before responding or taking any action.
Do not click on any links or open any attachments unless they are expected and verified.
Do not provide any sensitive information via email or phone, and use secure channels for communication.
Report any suspicious or unusual emails or messages to the IT department or the relevant authority.

Multi-Factor Faking

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security feature that requires the user to provide two or more pieces of evidence to verify their identity when logging into a system or service, such as a password and a code sent to their phone or email. MFA is a robust security measure that can prevent unauthorised access to law firms’ systems and data, even if the password is compromised.

However, cybercriminals are finding ways to bypass MFA, especially where older, weaker forms of MFA are in place. One of the tactics that is on the rise is spoofing MFA pages, where cybercriminals trick the user into entering a MFA code that will grant them access to the law firm’s genuine systems. This can be done by sending a phishing email that directs the user to a fake login page that mimics the real one, or by intercepting the user’s web session and injecting a fake MFA prompt.

To prevent multi-factor faking attacks, law firms should implement the following measures:

Use strong and unique passwords for all accounts and services, and change them regularly.
Use the latest and most secure forms of MFA, such as biometric authentication, app-based authentication, or hardware tokens.
Do not enter any MFA codes unless they are requested by the legitimate system or service, and check the URL and the SSL certificate of the login page.
Use a VPN or a secure browser to access the law firm’s systems and services, and avoid using public or unsecured networks or devices.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is a technology that enables machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, or decision making. AI can be both a defensive tool and a threat when it comes to cybersecurity. For example, AI can help law firms detect and respond to cyberattacks, analyse and protect data, or automate and streamline processes. However, AI can also be used by cybercriminals to launch more sophisticated and effective attacks, such as:

AI-generated phishing emails, where AI can gather data from various online sources to create personalised and convincing messages that target specific individuals within a law firm, making them more likely to fall victim to the attack.
AI-powered malware, where AI can enable malware to adapt and evade detection, spread across the network, or execute malicious actions based on the environment or the behaviour of the victim.
AI-facilitated data theft, where AI can analyse and extract valuable information from large and complex data sets, such as legal documents, contracts, or case files, and use it for malicious purposes, such as blackmail, extortion, or fraud.

To prevent AI-based attacks, law firms should implement the following measures:

Use AI-based security solutions and tools to enhance their cybersecurity posture and capabilities, such as AI-powered threat intelligence, anomaly detection, or incident response.
Monitor and audit the use and performance of AI systems and applications, and ensure they comply with ethical and legal standards and regulations.
Train and educate staff on the benefits and risks of AI, and how to recognise and report any suspicious or abnormal activities or behaviours.

If your business needs any advice or guidence on these issues please contact us today and we will be happy to help and make sure your business is Cyber Security Fit!