A Brief History of Ransomware
Taskeed Jabid, Saleh Masum, Rifat Ara Shams, Abdullahi Chowdhury, Mohammad Manzurul Islam, Md Hasanul Ferdaus, Md Sawkat Ali, Maheen Islam · 2024
Ransomware, a malware variant, enhances its attacks by employing advanced encryption techniques, anonymous payment methods, and worm-like abilities. By targeting entities such as governments, businesses, and regular users, the number of ransomware incidents has significantly surged. Ransomware’s primary aim is to restrict user access to their systems or data and demand a ransom for its restoration. The attacks also extend to mobile devices through PIN alternation and demanding ransom for the new PIN. Ransomware is principally categorized into crypto ransomware and locker ransomware, each employing different techniques of device incapacitation. Before the rise in online payments, ransom payments were made through traceable methods, but with the advent of Bitcoin in 2008, payments have become increasingly difficult to track. In the following, we will conduct a thorough study on the evolution of ransomware, noteworthy incidents of ransomware, emerging threats, and the challenges that lie ahead.