What is ransomware?

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What is ransomware?

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Ransomware is malicious software for a particular type of cyber attack, in which victims are extorted for payment of ransom to release their encrypted data during the attack. The first ransomware programs were disguised as software for removing spyware or for a PC clean up. These did not rely on the encryption of data, but damaged the computers of their victims and offered a damage-handling software against payment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height="25"][vc_column_text]A few years later, this form of attacks was replaced by fake anti virus programs. These resembled the earlier attack attempts with ransomware, but went one step further by extorting users for multi-year payments for support.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="25"][vc_row_inner row_type="row" type="full_width" use_row_as_full_screen_section_slide="no" text_align="left" padding_bottom="30" css_animation=""][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]In 2011, encryption-based ransomware first showed up. This is malicious software that prevents access to infected computer systems. As protection and recovery methods were improved, ransomware was developed further as well, until the now widely used crypto-ransomware was created. The following are the three recently most popular kinds of ransomware amongst a now innumerable number of variants:

 

1. CryptoWall: The oldest of these three variants, that also is said to be responsible for the largest number of systems infected by ransomware around the world (83,45 percent).

 

2. Locky: The latest of these three forms of ransomware, that spreads the fastest and is most developed. It is responsible for 16,47 percent of ransomware attacks between February 17th and March 2nd 2016.

 

3. TeslaCrypt: This malware was mostly spread through captured WordPress and Joomla sites and is responsible for 0,08 percent of all infections. However, current reports about the release of a master key for the decryption of TeslaCrypt by its developer mark the end of this ransomware.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="25"][vc_column_text]

Interview with Wieland Alge: Four answers to ransomware