A Short Guide To Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware is designed to deny access to computer systems or sensitive data until a ransom is paid. 

While ransomware has been around for decades, ransomware attacks are becoming more sophisticated, spreading through phishing emails, spear phishing, email attachments, vulnerability exploits, computer worms and several other attack vectors.

Many cyber attacks give attackers access to your computer to install ransomware including:

 

●      Social engineering and phishing: Ransomware spreads by tricking users into downloading an infected email attachment that masquerades as a file from a colleague or boss.

●      Malvertising: Malvertising uses an infected iFrame or invisible element to spread ransomware. The iFrame redirects to a page that executes malicious code or an exploit kit to perform a drive-by download without user knowledge.

●      Vulnerabilities: More aggressive forms of ransomware like WannaCry exploit vulnerabilities to infect computers without user action.

Once infected, ransomware may encrypt some or all files.

After the initial ransomware infection, a ransom note explains the files are inaccessible. The victim must send a ransom payment to buy the decryption key to decrypt their files. Traditionally, ransom payments were demanded via prepaid cash services, Western Union transfers, gift cards, or premium rate SMS services. Nowadays, cybercriminals demand their ransom to be paid in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

According to the National Security Institute, the average ransom fee requested has increased from $5,000 in 2018 to around $200,000 in 2020. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that ransomware will cost $6 trillion annually.

It is worth noting that in many cases, victims don't report ransomware attacks to law enforcement, creating artificially low reported ransomware numbers. In recent years, estimates of the number of ransomware attacks has reached 204.24 million.

The threat assessment experts at Upguard have produced a detailed review of various different  types of ransomware from 1989 to the present and here are three signicant expamples: 

 AIDS Trojan

One of the first known examples of ransomware was the AIDS Trojan written by evolutionary biologist Dr. Joseph Popp. Popp sent infected floppy diskettes to hundreds of victims under the heading "AIDS Information Introductory Diskette".

The Trojan replaced the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, which would then be used to count the number of times the computer has booted. Once the boot count reached 90, the ransomware hid directories and encrypted the names of all files on the hard drive (rendering the system unusable).

The victim would then be asked to 'renew the license' and contact PC Cyborg Corporation for payment, which involved sending $189 to a P.O. box in Panama, even though the decryption key could be extracted from the code of the Trojan.

Joseph Popp was ultimately declared mentally unfit to stand trial but promised to donate the profits from the ransomware to fund AIDS research.

WannaCry

WannaCry, an encrypting ransomware computer worm, was initially released on 12 May 2017. The ransom demand ranged from $300 to $600 to be paid in the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. WannaCry ransomware is also known as WannaCrypt, WCry, Wana Decrypt0r 2.0, WannaCrypt0r 2.0 and Wanna Decryptor.

It targets computers running outdated versions of the Microsoft Windows operating systems by exploiting the EternalBlue vulnerability in the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. This allowed the ransomware to spread without victim participation. A group known as The Shadow Brokers stole the EternalBlue exploit from the United States National Security Agency (NSA) a few months prior to the cyber attack.

The EternalBlue exploit was discovered, but not disclosed, by the NSA prior to the attack. The NSA has since been criticized for not disclosing the exploit to Microsoft or the public on CVE, which may have allowed it to be patched prior to WannaCry.

Despite quick patching and the discovery of a kill switch domain, WannaCry was able to spread to an estimated 200,000 computers across 150 countries, causing hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in damages. Much of WannaCry's success was due to poor patching cadence.

Security experts, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia have formally asserted North Korea was behind the attack.

Ryuk

Ryuk is a sophisticated ransomware run by WIZARD SPIDER, a cyber crime group, who targets large enterprises for high ransom payments.  Rather than exploiting vulnerabilities or using a spray and pray phishing method, Ryuk is spread through spear phishing emails and an Emotet geo-based download function.

Once infected, a ransom note named RyukReadMe.txt is displayed containing a static template except for a changing email address and Bitcoin wallet. The email addresses usually contain one email at protonmail.com and another at tutanota.com, typically esoteric actors, directors or Instagram models' names are used.

Based on observed transitions to known Ryuk BTC wallets, the ransom demand varies significantly depending on the size and value of the victim's organization. Ideed, The Russia-based group has made roughly $3.7 million off 52 known transactions.

Want more ransomware examples?

For a detailed list of ransomware examples please visit the Upguard  website

You Might Also Read:

GCHQ Boss Says Ransomware Attacks Have Doubled In A Year:

 

« CISA, FBI & NSA Issue Ransomware Warning Alert
Iranian Petrol Stations Suffer A Massive Attack »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

Grid32

Grid32

Grid32 provide penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, software code audits, training and incident response services.

Solarflare

Solarflare

Solarflare is a leading provider of intelligent networking I/O software and hardware platforms that accelerate, monitor and secure network data.

Guardtime

Guardtime

Guardtime's Black Lantern platform provides real-time cybersecurity and data-centric asset protection.

Payatu

Payatu

Payatu Technologies is a security testing and services company specialized in Software, Application and Infrastructure security assessments and deep technical security training.

Destel

Destel

Destel is a system integrator and provider of IT services focused on Advanced Network & Security Solutions.

Multitel

Multitel

Multitel is an independent research centre. We develop and integrate emerging technologies into the industrial fabric at the regional and international levels.

PureCyber

PureCyber

PureCyber (previously Wolfberry Cyber) is an award-winning cyber security consultancy whose goal it is to make cyber security accessible, understandable, and affordable for any organisation.

Asia Data Destruction (ADD)

Asia Data Destruction (ADD)

ADD is the leading IT Assets Disposal and Data Destruction Company in Thailand.

Nordic Cyber Summit

Nordic Cyber Summit

Nordic Cyber Security Summit addresses a wide range of technological issues from the IT Security spectrum and also provides a wider perspective from all aspects of the industry.

Solidified

Solidified

Solidified is the largest audit platform for smart contracts. Our community has the highest concentration of top Blockchain security specialists and best-in-class code auditors.

ValidSoft

ValidSoft

ValidSoft is a security software company, providing telecommunications-based multi-factor authentication, identity and transaction verification technology.

Research Institute in Verified Trustworthy Software Systems (VeTSS)

Research Institute in Verified Trustworthy Software Systems (VeTSS)

The main purpose of VeTSS is to support program analysis, testing and verification, to achieve guarantees of software correctness, safety, and security.

CyberSafe

CyberSafe

CyberSafe is a Portuguese company with a focus on cybersecurity solutions and services including network security, managed security, incident response and forensic analysis.

Ermetic

Ermetic

Ermetic’s identity-first cloud infrastructure security platform provides holistic, multi-cloud protection in an easy-to-deploy SaaS solution.

SK Shieldus

SK Shieldus

SK shieldus are a converged security provider with business capabilities in both cybersecurity and physical security based on Big-Tech.

Ibento Global

Ibento Global

Ibento organises the CyberX series of cybersecurity conferences.