What is Ransomware｜Explained For Beginners

Summary

Ransomware, a type of malware, has evolved to use sophisticated cryptographic methods to lock and encrypt files, demanding untraceable cryptocurrency payments for decryption. Common distribution methods include phishing, exploit kits, and malvertising. To protect against this growing threat, users should regularly back up files, be cautious with email attachments and links, install reliable antivirus software, keep systems updated, and use secure websites. The video also highlights examples like Grand Crab, WannaCry, Bad Rabbit, and Locky, emphasizing the importance of prevention and the role of no-more-ransom.org in offering free decryption tools and advice.

Takeaways

• 🔒 Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or locks systems, demanding payment in cryptocurrency for decryption.
• 📈 The sophistication of ransomware has increased since its first occurrence in 1989, making it a significant cybersecurity threat.
• 💡 Modern ransomware uses cryptographic methods to make files inaccessible, often targeting individual systems and business networks.
• 💸 Ransomware is financially motivated, with the goal of coercing victims to pay a ransom for file recovery.
• 📧 Phishing emails are a common method of ransomware distribution, tricking victims into opening attachments or clicking links.
• 🛠 Exploit kits are used to spread malware by exploiting vulnerabilities in software applications and operating systems.
• 📰 Malvertising involves attackers using advertising networks to spread ransomware through infected ads.
• 💡 To protect against ransomware, regularly back up files externally and be cautious with email attachments and unknown links.
• 🛡️ Install reliable antivirus software and keep all software and operating systems updated to reduce vulnerability.
• 🔍 Enable file extension visibility in computer settings to help identify potentially malicious files.
• 🔒 Visiting websites secured by SSL is recommended, but be aware that SSL alone does not guarantee website legitimacy.
• 🆓 NoMoreRansom.org offers free decryption tools and prevention advice for ransomware victims, supported by law enforcement and IT security companies.

Q & A

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that can present itself in various ways to affect individual systems and networks, including businesses, hospitals, airports, and government agencies. It uses encryption to make files inaccessible and demands a ransom for decryption.

How has ransomware evolved since its first occurrence in 1989?

Ransomware has evolved significantly since 1989, with modern variants using sophisticated cryptographic methods to encrypt files and lock computer operating systems, making them inaccessible without decryption keys.

What is the primary goal of ransomware attacks?

The primary goal of ransomware attacks is to convince victims to pay a decryption ransom, usually in hard-to-trace cryptocurrencies, to regain access to their encrypted files or systems.

How has the popularity of ransomware changed over the last decade?

The popularity of ransomware has grown significantly in the last decade, making it the most prominent malware threat globally, driven by financially motivated cyberattacks.

What are some common methods of ransomware distribution?

Ransomware is commonly distributed through phishing emails, exploit kits that exploit vulnerabilities in software and operating systems, and malvertising, which uses advertising networks to spread the malware.

How can individuals and organizations protect themselves from ransomware attacks?

Protection against ransomware includes regular backup of files, caution with email attachments and links, installation of trustworthy antivirus software, keeping software and operating systems updated, and enabling file extension visibility.

What is the significance of visiting 'no more ransom' website for ransomware victims?

The 'no more ransom' website is a resource created by law enforcement and IT security companies to offer free decryption toolkits and prevention advice to ransomware victims, helping to disrupt the spread of ransomware.

What was unique about the Grand Crab ransomware that appeared in 2018?

Grand Crab, first seen in 2018, was notable for infecting over 50,000 victims in less than a month and was the first known ransomware to demand ransom payments in cryptocurrency.

How did the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 propagate and what was its impact?

WannaCry propagated through an exploit known as Eternal Blue, targeting Microsoft Windows systems, and infected over 300,000 computers in four days, causing significant disruption worldwide.

What was the modus operandi of the Bad Rabbit ransomware in 2017?

Bad Rabbit spread through fake Adobe Flash update advertisements on compromised websites, infecting computers that manually installed the executable file, with a ransom demand of roughly 280 US dollars.

How did the Locky ransomware affect the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in 2016?

Locky ransomware affected the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in 2016 by encrypting their systems, leading the hospital to pay a 40 BTC ransom, equivalent to 17,000 US dollars at the time, to regain access.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Understanding Ransomware Threats

This paragraph introduces ransomware as a form of malicious software that has evolved since its first occurrence in 1989. It discusses the sophistication of modern ransomware, which uses cryptographic methods to encrypt files, rendering them inaccessible and demanding a ransom in cryptocurrencies for decryption. The paragraph also highlights the significant growth in ransomware's popularity over the past decade, emphasizing its status as a leading financial cyberattack threat. It warns that there is no guarantee of decryption even after ransom payment and encourages awareness of the various methods through which ransomware is distributed, such as phishing emails, exploit kits, and malvertising.

🚨 Protecting Against Ransomware Attacks

This section provides guidance on how to protect oneself from ransomware attacks. It suggests regular backup of files using external sources to ensure restoration post-infection. Advises caution with email attachments and links, avoiding unknown ads and websites, and the installation of reliable antivirus software. It also recommends keeping software and operating systems updated and enabling file extension visibility in computer settings for better security. The paragraph further advises against visiting non-SSL secured websites and checking for the HTTPS protocol, while noting that SSL alone is not a guarantee of a site's legitimacy. It directs viewers to 'No More Ransom', a collaborative website offering free decryption tools and prevention advice.

Keywords

💡Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to encrypt or lock a user's files or system, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. The term is central to the video's theme, which discusses the nature, distribution, and impact of ransomware. It is mentioned as a constantly evolving threat that has grown in sophistication since its first occurrence in 1989.

💡Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, encompasses any software used to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. In the context of the video, malware is the broader category under which ransomware falls, with ransomware being a specific type that encrypts files to demand a ransom for their release.

💡Encryption

Encryption is the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. In the video, modern ransomware uses cryptographic encryption to lock files, making them inaccessible to the user until a ransom is paid. This highlights the technical sophistication of ransomware and its use as a tool for extortion.

💡Phishing

Phishing is a method of deception used by cybercriminals to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise their security. The video describes phishing emails as a common method for distributing ransomware, where victims are infected through email attachments or links that appear legitimate.

💡Exploit Kits

An exploit kit is a collection of software tools used to take advantage of security vulnerabilities in systems. The video mentions exploit kits as a way to spread malware, including ransomware, by exploiting issues in software applications and operating systems, particularly targeting systems that are out of date.

💡Malvertising

Malvertising refers to malicious advertising, where cybercriminals use advertising networks to spread malware, including ransomware. The video script mentions malvertising as a method used by attackers to distribute ransomware through infected advertisements, blending in with legitimate ads to trick users.

💡Backup

Backup in the context of the video refers to the practice of creating copies of files to ensure their availability in the event of data loss or ransomware attack. The script emphasizes the importance of regular backups as a means of protection and recovery after a potential ransomware infection.

💡Antivirus

An antivirus is a software program designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware. The video recommends installing a trustworthy antivirus as part of the defense against ransomware, highlighting its role in identifying and neutralizing threats before they can infect a system.

💡Software Updates

Software updates are patches or improvements released by developers to fix bugs, vulnerabilities, and add new features. The video stresses the importance of keeping software applications and operating systems up-to-date to protect against ransomware attacks that exploit outdated software.

💡SSL

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a security protocol for establishing encrypted links between a web server and a browser. The video mentions SSL as a means to secure websites, with HTTPS indicating that the site is using SSL. However, it also warns that the presence of SSL does not guarantee a website's legitimacy, as some malicious sites also use it to appear trustworthy.

💡WannaCry

WannaCry is a specific ransomware worm that was responsible for a major cyber attack in 2017, infecting over 300,000 computers worldwide. The video uses WannaCry as an example of the widespread impact of ransomware, highlighting how it propagated through the EternalBlue exploit and targeted Microsoft Windows systems.

💡Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security and operates independently of a central authority. The video explains that ransomware attackers often demand payment in cryptocurrencies because they are difficult to trace, providing an example of how ransom payments are requested in this form.

Highlights

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that can affect individual systems and business networks.

Ransomware has evolved since 1989, with modern variants using cryptographic methods to encrypt files.

The primary goal of ransomware is to extort money through decryption ransoms, usually in untraceable cryptocurrencies.

There is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in the decryption of the victim's information.

Ransomware has become the most prominent malware threat worldwide, with significant financial motivations.

Phishing emails are a common method for distributing ransomware through disguised legitimate attachments or links.

Exploit kits, containing malicious tools, are used to exploit vulnerabilities in software and operating systems.

Malvertising involves using advertising networks to spread ransomware through infected ads.

Regular backups can protect against ransomware by allowing file restoration after an infection.

Caution with email attachments and links, and avoiding unknown sources can mitigate ransomware risks.

Installing a reliable antivirus and keeping software updated are essential for ransomware protection.

Enabling file extension visibility helps in identifying potentially harmful files.

Visiting websites secured by SSL and checking URLs beginning with HTTPS can prevent some ransomware attacks.

NoMoreRansom.org offers free decryption tools and prevention advice for ransomware victims.

GrandCrab ransomware, first seen in 2018, demanded ransom payments in cryptocurrency.

WannaCry was a global cyber attack in 2017 that infected over 300,000 computers using the EternalBlue exploit.

Bad Rabbit ransomware spread through fake Adobe Flash updates, affecting primarily Russian computers.

Locky ransomware was distributed via email, posing as invoices requiring payment with infected attachments.

Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center paid a 40 BTC ransom to regain access to their systems after a Locky infection.

Transcripts

what is ransomware ransomware it's a

type of malicious software or malware

for short ransomware may present itself

in a few different ways affecting

individual systems as well as networks

of business hospitals airports and

government agencies ransomware is being

constantly improved and is getting more

and more sophisticated since the first

registered occurrence in 1989 while

simple formats are typically non

encryption ransomware modern ransomware

makes use of cryptographic methods in

order to encrypt files making them

inaccessible encryption ransomware may

also be used on hard drives as a way to

completely lock a computer operating

system preventing the victim from

accessing it the final goal is to

convince victims to pay for a decryption

ransom which are usually requested in

crypto currencies that are very hard to

trace however there is no guarantee that

payment of the ransom will decrypt your

information the popularity of ransomware

has grown significantly in the last

decade and is a financially motivated

cyberattack ransomware is currently the

most prominent malware threat in the

world how is malware distributed fishing

in the context of ransomware

phishing emails are one of the most

common forms of malware distribution the

victims usually get infected through

compromised email attachments or links

that are disguised as legitimate within

a network of computers one single victim

can be enough to compromise a whole

organization exploit kits an exploit kit

is a package made of various malicious

tools and pre-written

exploit code these kits are designed to

exploit issues and vulnerabilities and

software applications and operating

systems is a way to spread malware in

secure systems running out of date

software are the most common targets

malvert izing attackers making use of

advertising networks to spread the

ransomware through infected

advertisements how can you protect

yourself from ransomware attacks use

external sources to backup your files

regularly so you're able to restore them

after a potential infection is removed

be cautious with email attachments in

links avoid clicking on ads and websites

of unknown sources install a trustworthy

antivirus and keep your software

applications and operating system

up-to-date enable the show file

extensions option on your computer

settings so you can easily check the

extensions of your files avoid visiting

websites that are not secured by an SSL

by checking that the URL begins with

HTTPS keep in mind however that many

malicious websites are implementing the

SSL in order to confuse victims and an

SSL alone does not guarantee that the

website is legitimate or save visit no

more ransom org a website created by law

enforcement and IT security companies

working towards the disruption of

ransomware the website offers free

decryption toolkits for infected users

as well as prevention advice a few

ransomware examples grand crab 2018

first seen in January 2018 the

ransomware made over 50,000 victims in

less than a month before being disrupted

by the work of Romanian authorities

along with BitDefender and Europol

grande crab was spreading through

malvert izing and phishing emails and

was the first known ransomware to demand

a ransom payment and - cryptocurrency

the initial ransom varied from 300 to

1500 US dollars wanna cry 2017 a

worldwide cyber attack that infected

over 300 thousand computers in four days

wanna cry propagated through an exploit

known as eternal blue and targeted

Microsoft Windows operating systems the

attack was stopped due to emergency

patches released by Microsoft bad rabbit

2017 a ransomware that was spread is a

fake adobe flash update that was

downloaded from compromised websites

most infected computers were located in

Russia and the infection was dependent

on manual installation of an executable

file the price for decryption was

roughly 280 US dollars at the time locky

2016 usually distributed by email as an

invoice requiring payment that contained

infected attachments in 26

the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical

Center was affected by lucky and paid a

40 BTC ransom 17,000 u.s. dollars back

then in order to regain access to the

hospital's computer systems for more

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