Ransomware & Crypto-Malware

Ransomware

Ransomware is when an attacker has got hold of your files and asks for ransom to be paid in return for your files.
He could get this by installing malware that changes your passwords,email id, or by encrypting your files.

Generally the ransom demanded is through cryptocurrencies so that it becomes impossible for the authorities to find who the man was behind the attack.

According to a report: he Ransomware Protection Market was valued at USD 11.93 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 29.07 billion by 2025

CRYPTO-MALWARE

Crypto-malware is a malware(ransomware) that encrypts your data and holds it for ransom. It encrypts everyting execept for the OS.

The aim is to keep your computer running but prevent your from doing any work.The computer becomes pretty useless, as all the files and programs have been encrypted and rendered un-usable.

These type of malwares get installed on your system by taking advantage of known vulnerabilities.

Examples:

• Locky : Locky is a type of ransomware that was first released in a 2016.It preads by tricking victims to install it via fake emails with infected attachments.
• WannyCry: WannaCry is ransomware attack that spread across 150 countries in 2017.Designed to exploit SMBv1 vulnerability in Windows Operating Systems.
• Bad Rabbit: Bad Rabbit is a 2017 ransomware attack that spread using a method called a ‘drive-by’ attack, where insecure websites were targeted and used to carry out the attack.
• GandCrab: GandCrab is a rather unsavory ransomware attack that threatened to reveal victim’s porn watching habits.