Difference between revisions of "Ransomware"
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| − | '''Ransomware''' is a type of malicious software ([[malware]]) used for cybercrime which attempts to prevent user access to something they value, usually digital information on their [[computer]]. It will then demand that a ransom be paid so that the user can regain access.<ref>https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx</ref> In most cases, ransomware will [[encrypt]] all of the information on a computer's writable drives, and change the bootloader so that when the computer is started, the malware is launched. It | + | '''Ransomware''' is a type of malicious software ([[malware]]) used for cybercrime which attempts to prevent user access to something they value, usually digital information on their [[computer]]. It will then demand that a ransom be paid so that the user can regain access.<ref>https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx</ref> In most cases, ransomware will [[encrypt]] all of the information on a computer's writable drives, and change the bootloader so that when the computer is started, the malware is launched. It will state the demands, and explain how the ransom can be paid.<ref>http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/ransomware-cryptovirus-cryptotrojan-or-cryptoworm</ref> Once paid, the ransomware publisher will hopefully will '''''hopefully''''' send the user a decryption key, which can be entered to decrypt the drive(s).<ref>https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/what-is-ransomware-protection</ref> |
==Evolution== | ==Evolution== | ||
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==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
Theses are some of the better known examples of ransomware. | Theses are some of the better known examples of ransomware. | ||
| + | *AIDS Trojan (first known, and was flawed) | ||
*TeslaCrypt (attacked [[video games]])<ref>https://www.hackread.com/famous-games-hijacked-for-ransom-through-teslacrypt-ransomware</ref> | *TeslaCrypt (attacked [[video games]])<ref>https://www.hackread.com/famous-games-hijacked-for-ransom-through-teslacrypt-ransomware</ref> | ||
*WannaCry (attacked entire Windows systems)<ref>http://bgr.com/2017/05/15/wanna-cry-ransomware-virus-windows-wannacry-explainer</ref> | *WannaCry (attacked entire Windows systems)<ref>http://bgr.com/2017/05/15/wanna-cry-ransomware-virus-windows-wannacry-explainer</ref> | ||
| − | + | *Dharma (delivered using unsolicited emails)<ref>https://www.hackread.com/india-horse-racing-site-hacked-with-dharma-ransomware</ref> | |
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Malware]] | [[Category:Malware]] | ||
Revision as of 21:10, May 19, 2017
Ransomware is a type of malicious software (malware) used for cybercrime which attempts to prevent user access to something they value, usually digital information on their computer. It will then demand that a ransom be paid so that the user can regain access.[1] In most cases, ransomware will encrypt all of the information on a computer's writable drives, and change the bootloader so that when the computer is started, the malware is launched. It will state the demands, and explain how the ransom can be paid.[2] Once paid, the ransomware publisher will hopefully will hopefully send the user a decryption key, which can be entered to decrypt the drive(s).[3]
Evolution
Before improving in 2013, ransomware started out an a method of attack against corporations.[4] The ransom would be very high, since the company targeted would have significant assets. To resume necessary business processes, the corporation may be willing to pay the exorbitant fee.[5][6] However, modern ransomware now usually charges much less, but is carried by a worm, virus, or trojan so that it can infect many computers worldwide.[7] Although most individual users have no way of paying $100,000, they may be willing to pay $500 to recover their photographs, documents, or other files which are locked on their computer.[8]
Examples
Theses are some of the better known examples of ransomware.
- AIDS Trojan (first known, and was flawed)
- TeslaCrypt (attacked video games)[9]
- WannaCry (attacked entire Windows systems)[10]
- Dharma (delivered using unsolicited emails)[11]
References
- ↑ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/portal/mmpc/shared/ransomware.aspx
- ↑ http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/ransomware-cryptovirus-cryptotrojan-or-cryptoworm
- ↑ https://heimdalsecurity.com/blog/what-is-ransomware-protection
- ↑ https://www.knowbe4.com/ransomware
- ↑ http://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/a-brief-history-of-ransomware/d/d-id/1325212
- ↑ http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-2016-is-the-year-of-ransomware-20160308-column.html
- ↑ https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/definition/ransomware
- ↑ https://us.norton.com/yoursecurityresource/detail.jsp?aid=rise_in_ransomware
- ↑ https://www.hackread.com/famous-games-hijacked-for-ransom-through-teslacrypt-ransomware
- ↑ http://bgr.com/2017/05/15/wanna-cry-ransomware-virus-windows-wannacry-explainer
- ↑ https://www.hackread.com/india-horse-racing-site-hacked-with-dharma-ransomware