Introduction to ransomware and modern threats
Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to deny access to a computer system or data until a ransom is paid. The concept of ransomware dates back to the late 1980s, with the emergence of the first known ransomware strain, the AIDS Trojan. This primitive ransomware, distributed via floppy disks, encrypted filenames on a victim’s hard drive and demanded payment in exchange for decryption. While the AIDS Trojan was relatively crude compared to modern ransomware variants, it laid the groundwork for the development of more sophisticated threats.
Over the years, ransomware has evolved significantly in terms of both tactics and technology. Today’s ransomware variants employ advanced encryption algorithms to render victims’ data inaccessible, making it nearly impossible to recover without the decryption key. In addition to encrypting files, ransomware may also disable system functions, delete backups, and spread...
