I’ll admit it: I’m forever intrigued by how fast the cyber world moves. Just when I have a handle on current topics, something new comes along and raises the stakes for everyone. That’s what’s happening with Chimera, a ransomware strain that’s forcing business owners and IT managers to rethink what it means to be cyber-ready.
When Ransomware Gets Smart
Ransomware attacks continue to appear in the news, and the average cost of recovery is staggering. The tools we rely on—firewalls, antivirus, and EDR solutions—are struggling to keep up with threats that are “thinking” for themselves, potentially leaving cybersecurity teams racing to adapt and playing catch-up with criminals who don’t play by the rules.
Chimera is a real-world example of how cyber threats are getting smarter and harder to anticipate. For X-Business, a small e-commerce company, everything started with what should have been a routine inventory software update. A few hours later, hackers had locked the company’s systems, stolen their data, and were demanding a $250,000 ransom. Operations ground to a halt and employees were locked out. Even more devastating, customers couldn’t shop on their website.
The X Business incident stands out because attackers successfully disguised it as a trusted internal software update, even though Chimera malware is commonly known for spreading through phishing emails containing malicious Dropbox links.
What makes Chimera so different?
When I set out to verify Chimera’s AI capabilities, I encountered a complex web of varied information. Some sources indicated Chimera Ransomware can shift tactics mid-attack, study its victims’ habits, morph its methods, and sneak past security tools. A Cybersecurity Insiders article stated Chimera can “infect both Windows and macOS environments” and “spread across different operating systems with ease”, as if no device is safe from its reach.
I looked high and low for a reputable resource to prove these claims. But when I turned to the government websites and nonprofit security experts, the picture changed.
The FBI and the Center for Internet Security (CIS) have published no reports specifically on Chimera ransomware, possibly because there have been no major U.S. incidents or high-profile attacks to trigger a federal analysis or public advisory.
It’s worth noting that the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022, (nestled within the Consolidated Appropriations Act) does state that “entities must report certain cyber incidents to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within 72 hours of reasonably believing a covered incident has occurred.”
Still, I wondered how many small and medium-sized businesses–often lacking the resources and awareness to comply–actually report cyber events. Without these reports, the government's awareness of cyber threats like Chimera would be limited.
Yet, despite limited or nonexistent government data, the progress of AI and cybersecurity threats cannot be ignored. Whether or not Chimera rewrites its own code during an attack, the industry is undeniably moving toward smarter, agile threats. Today’s hype can indeed become tomorrow’s headline, but for now, the proven facts keep me grounded—and a little watchful of the rest.
What is certain is that once Chimera is inside a system, it’s aggressive and doesn’t hold back; it locks files and steals sensitive data, giving attackers even more leverage. The result is a double threat: pay up, or risk your data being leaked to the world. And let’s be honest: trusting cybercriminals to keep their word is, in itself, a risky bet.
The CrowdStrike Checkmate
When X-Business realized what had happened, they called in the experts at CrowdStrike, a leader in protecting organizations against sophisticated cyber threats. I have met a few folks from CrowdStrike, and they genuinely care about helping companies recover and emerge stronger from cyberattacks.
CrowdStrike worked alongside X Business’ cybersecurity team to isolate infected systems. They stopped Chimera from spreading further and helped X Business recover in just 48 hours––without paying the ransom and saving customer trust. That’s the type of incident response and recovery every business hopes for.
I attempted to speak with someone at CrowdStrike, but that didn’t materialize. They likely wouldn’t have explained the tactics used to stop Chimera—and for good reason: magicians never give away their secrets.
As impressive as the recovery team was to get X Business back on its feet, it still stands that the attack had succeeded. Although a successful response and recovery will generally prevent a catastrophic failure, it doesn’t prevent the initial breach.
Is There a Way to Stop Chimera Before It Attacks?
Will companies continue to be on the defensive with cyberattacks, or is there a way to detect threats like Chimera Ransomware before they even get onto the playing field? That question led me down a research rabbit hole.
I started with the basics: How does AI-driven ransomware work, and why do current EDR and MDR tools sometimes miss it? I was looking for something. A feature. A platform. Anything. Something that could spot the next Chimera-type of attack.
My research led me to Airlock Digital, an Australian-based company with a straightforward approach to cybersecurity. I remembered hearing about Airlock in a conversation some months ago. Their philosophy is simple: nothing gets in unless it’s on the guest list.
Cybersecurity professionals call it “deny by default.” If an app, script, or process isn’t explicitly allowed, it doesn’t run. Period.
Even if a software update looks legitimate, Airlock checks a set of strict rules before the software is allowed to run. If something doesn’t add up, it gets flagged for review. But Airlock isn’t just a bouncer checking names at the door. It offers layers of defense:
- Hash-based allowlisting: A unique code identifies every file. Even trusted software updates need to be reviewed and approved before they’re allowed in.
- Publisher and path rules: Only software from approved vendors and directories gets through.
- Anomaly Shield: Airlock reviews files and updates that appear suspicious, such as unusually large files or those with odd behavior.
- VirusTotal integration: Unknown files are checked against dozens of antivirus engines (the principal component of antivirus software) for extra assurance.
Building a Defense-in-Depth Strategy
I spoke with a senior solutions engineer for Airlock Digital, who explained that “while no software guarantees 100% protection, Airlock’s approach could have made a big difference for X Business.” By only allowing pre-approved applications and updates, it’s quite possible Chimera’s sneaky tactics would have hit a wall—unless someone manually let it through.
The engineer also talked about the importance of “defense-in-depth”—a strategy that layers multiple security measures, so if one fails, others are there to catch what slips through. In practice, this means combining proactive tools like Airlock with real-time incident response from companies like CrowdStrike, plus regular backups, employee training, and strict access controls.
It’s a bit like building a football team (and being from Buffalo, I’ve gotta use the Bills in this analogy). You don’t win games with just an incredibly talented quarterback or a single defensive player (right, Josh?). You need depth, flexibility, and the right mix of talent at every position, both offensively and defensively. If something isn’t working, you swap it out and keep improving the lineup. That’s how you stay ahead—by building a team that works as a unified force.
Where Do We Go from Here?
I’m still convinced that the future of ransomware defense isn’t about silver bullets–or MVP quarterbacks. It’s about strategy, teamwork, and staying a step ahead. AI-powered threats like Chimera are only the beginning. The question isn’t whether some company will face another attack like this, but whether that company will be ready when it comes.
So we keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep building a better offense and defense. Because in this game, the only way to win is to keep adapting.
If you’re worried about being the next target, you’re not alone. Many businesses are still catching up to technology, and while you’re balancing day-to-day operations with the need for better security, there is a smarter way moving forward: build a layered defense, keep learning, and don’t wait to ask for help.
If you’re thinking it’s time to move beyond traditional defenses and build a ransomware-resistant business environment, I’d suggest reaching out to ADS (Atlantic Data Security). ADS partners with industry leaders, including CrowdStrike and Airlock Digital, remaining at the forefront of defensive and offensive technologies.
Whether you need proactive prevention, rapid incident response, or a true defense-in-depth strategy, ADS has the relationships and expertise to help you build the best team. If you want to make sure your next software update doesn’t become your company’s worst day, talking to an advisor could be the smartest play you make all year.
Michael Civisca is a freelance contributor for Atlantic Data Security. For over thirty years, ADS has established themselves as a pioneer in the cybersecurity industry with highly customized solutions for their clients. Talk to an advisor and learn more about managed security services, endpoint security, and cybersecurity trainings at Atlantic Data Security. Follow us on LinkedIn, and read more in our resource blog.