Ransoware: a Comprehensive Investigation

EasyChair Preprint no. 14160

Abstract

Ransomware has rapidly become one of the most pervasive and damaging cyber threats in the digital age. This form of malicious software, which encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its release, has evolved from a relatively obscure threat into a sophisticated and highly profitable criminal enterprise (Smith et al., 2024). *Ransomware: A Comprehensive Investigation* explores the multifaceted nature of ransomware attacks, their evolution, impact, and the strategies employed to combat them (Johnson & Davis, 2023). The investigation begins by tracing the origins of ransomware, highlighting its transformation from simple encryption-based attacks to more complex and targeted campaigns. Early instances of ransomware, such as the "AIDS Trojan" of the late 1980s, were rudimentary compared to modern variants that employ advanced encryption techniques and sophisticated distribution methods (Nguyen et al., 2023). Today’s ransomware attacks are often carried out by organized crime groups with significant resources and technical expertise, making them formidable adversaries (Lee et al., 2023). A key focus of the investigation is the economic and operational impact of ransomware. Victims range from individual users to large organizations, including hospitals, municipalities, and multinational corporations. The financial cost of ransomware extends beyond the ransom payments themselves, encompassing recovery efforts, business interruption, and reputational damage (Miller, 2022). High-profile incidents, such as the WannaCry and NotPetya attacks, have demonstrated the potential for widespread disruption and highlighted the vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure (Carlucci et al., 2023). The investigation also examines the methods and tactics employed by ransomware operators.

Keyphrases: Critical Infrastructure, Ransomware, Vulnerabilities

@Booklet{EasyChair:14160,
  author = {Ralph Shad and Peter Broklyn and Axel Egon},
  title = {Ransoware: a Comprehensive Investigation},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint no. 14160},

  year = {EasyChair, 2024}}