Ransomware attacks are one of the most damaging types of cyber-attacks. They can cause extensive damage to both an individual and an organization. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a person’s or organization’s data, making it inaccessible. The attackers then demand a ransom in order for the data to be decrypted and made accessible again.
These cyber-attacks can have devastating consequences, as the victims often have no choice but to pay the ransom in order to regain access to their data. In some cases, even if the ransom is paid, the attackers do not decrypt the data. This can lead to serious financial losses and reputational damage for the victim.
What is a Ransomware Attack?
A ransomware attack is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom in order to decrypt them. This can be done by infecting a computer with malicious software that locks the user’s files or by gaining access to the user’s account and encrypting their files remotely. In either case, the attacker typically demands that the victim pay a sum of money (usually in cryptocurrency) in order to regain access to their files.
There have been many high-profile ransomware attacks in recent years, such as WannaCry and Petya, which have caused billions of dollars in damage worldwide. Ransomware is particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly and easily through networks, and often targets critical infrastructure such as hospitals and businesses. As such, it is important for individuals and organizations to be aware of the risks associated with ransomware and take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims.
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Common Types of Ransomwares
New ransomware variants arise regularly. Here are most well-known ransomware strains.
GoldenEye:
GoldenEye is one of the most common types of ransomwares. It was first discovered in 2017 and has since been responsible for a number of high-profile attacks, including the WannaCry attack that affected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries. GoldenEye is a particularly dangerous form of ransomware because it can spread quickly and easily through computer networks. It is also difficult to remove once it has infected a system.
Petya/NotPetya:
Petya and NotPetya are two other common types of ransomware. Petya was first discovered in 2016 and is known for being particularly destructive. It can encrypt a computer’s entire hard drive, making it impossible to access any of the data on the system. NotPetya is a variant of Petya that was first discovered in 2017. It shares many of the same characteristics as Petya but is even more destructive. It can not only encrypt a hard drive but also corrupts vital system files, making it incredibly difficult to recover from an infection.
CryptoLocker:
CryptoLocker is another well-known type of ransomware. It was first discovered in 2013 and has since been responsible for countless attacks, both on individuals and organizations. CryptoLocker works by encrypting a victim’s files with a strong encryption key that can only be decrypted by paying a ransom. This makes it very difficult to recover from an attack without paying the ransom, which is often quite costly.
WannaCry:
WannaCry is perhaps the most famous type of ransomware due to the massive attack it launched in 2017. This attack affected over 200,000 computers in 150 countries and caused billions of dollars in damage. WannaCry encrypted victims’ files and demanded a ransom be paid in order to decrypt them. Unfortunately, there was no way to decrypt the files without paying the ransom, which made this attack particularly devastating.
Jigsaw:
Jigsaw is a type of ransomware that was first discovered in 2016. It is known for its particularly destructive nature, as it can not only encrypt a hard drive but also corrupt vital system files, making it incredibly difficult to recover from an infection. Jigsaw is particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly and easily through computer networks. It is also difficult to remove once it has infected a system.
Locky:
Locky is another type of ransomware that was first discovered in 2016. It is known for being particularly difficult to remove, as it can encrypt not only a hard drive but also vital system files. Locky is also difficult to decode, making it incredibly difficult to recover from an infection. This type of ransomware is particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly and easily through computer networks.
Crysis:
Crysis is a type of ransomware that was first discovered in 2013. It is known for its particularly destructive nature, as it can not only encrypt a hard drive but also corrupt vital system files, making it incredibly difficult to recover from an infection. Crysis is particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly and easily through computer networks. It is also difficult to remove once it has infected a system.
Maze:
Maze is another type of ransomware that was first discovered in 2019. It is known for its particularly sophisticated encryption methods, which make it very difficult to decrypt files that have been affected by it. Maze is also unique in that it threatens to release sensitive information if a ransom is not paid, which can be extremely damaging for businesses and individuals alike.
Ryuk:
Ryuk is a type of ransomware that was first discovered in 2018. It is known for being particularly difficult to remove, as it leaves behind a number of malicious files and registry entries. Ryuk is also known for its high ransom demands, which can be upwards of $1 million. While Ryuk infections are relatively rare, they can be extremely costly and disruptive when they do occur.
Crypto Ransomware or Encryptors:
Crypto ransomware or encryptors is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files with strong encryption, making them inaccessible. Crypto ransomware usually demands a ransom from the victim in order to decrypt and regain access to their files. Crypto ransomware is often spread through email attachments or malicious websites. It can be very difficult to remove once it has infected a system.
How to Protect Yourself from Ransomware Attacks
There are several things you can do to protect yourself from ransomware, including keeping your operating system up to date, using antivirus software, avoiding suspicious emails and links, backing up your data regularly, and more.
However, even if you take all of these precautions, there is no guarantee that you will never be infected with ransomware. If you do find yourself the victim of a ransomware attack, the best course of action is usually to refrain from paying the ransom as this only encourages attackers and does not guarantee that you will get your data back. Instead, try restoring from backups or using file recovery software if possible.
