Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim’s data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid. Ransomware attacks are typically carried out using a Trojan that is disguised as a legitimate file that the user is tricked into downloading or opening when it arrives as an email attachment. Once activated, the ransomware encrypts the user’s files and demands a ransom be paid in order for the decryption key to be released.
The first ransomware attack was recorded in 2005, but its origins can be traced back even further. Ransomware has been around for almost two decades, but it wasn’t until recently that it became such a widespread problem.
Ransomware all started with the AIDS Trojan, which was created by Joseph L. Deutsch in 1989. The AIDS Trojan was a proof-of-concept virus that was designed to encrypt the victim’s hard drive and display a message demanding a ransom be paid in order to decrypt the files. Deutsch never released the virus, but the source code was leaked online and soon after, other ransomware variants began appearing.
One of the earliest ransomware attacks occurred in 2005 with the release of the WinLock ransomware. WinLock ransomware encrypted victims’ files and then displayed a message informing them that their files had been encrypted and that they needed to pay a ransom in order to decrypt them. WinLock ransomware was spread via email attachments and USB drives.
In 2009, another ransomware called CryptoLocker emerged and quickly became one of the most widespread ransomware variants. CryptoLocker ransomware was spread via email attachments and infected websites. Once executed, the ransomware would encrypt the victim’s files and then display a message informing them that their files had been encrypted and that they needed to pay a ransom in order to decrypt them. CryptoLocker ransomware was particularly effective because it used strong encryption that made it virtually impossible to decrypt the files without paying the ransom.
In 2016, a new ransomware called Locky emerged and quickly became one of the most widespread ransomware variants. Locky ransomware was spread via email attachments and infected websites. Once executed, the ransomware would encrypt the victim’s files and then display a message informing them that their files had been encrypted and that they needed to pay a ransom in order to decrypt them. Locky ransomware was particularly effective because it used a sophisticated ransomware encryption algorithm that made it virtually impossible to decrypt the files without paying the ransom.
In 2017, another new ransomware called WannaCry emerged and quickly became one of the most widespread ransomware variants. WannaCry ransomware was spread via email attachments and infected websites. Once executed, the ransomware would encrypt the victim’s files and then display a message informing them that their files had been encrypted and that they needed to pay a ransom in order to decrypt them. WannaCry ransomware was particularly effective because it used a worm-like ransomware infection method that allowed it to spread rapidly across networks.
If you have been infected with ransomware, it is important to understand that paying the ransom does not guarantee that you will get your files back. In fact, there are many cases where victims who have paid the ransomware demand have not received their decryption key or their files have been corrupted.
The best way to protect yourself from ransomware is to hire a reputable IT company like Novustek that can provide you with the necessary ransomware protection and removal services. They will have the knowledge and expertise to remove ransomware and protect your computer from future ransomware attacks. For more information, please contact them today at 858-434-8260.