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{{Quote|[a] form of [[malware]] that restricts [[access]] to a [[device]] unless the victim pays to have it unlocked.<ref>[[Cybersecurity in the Golden State]], Security Breach, Malware.</ref>}}
  
{{Quote|[a] form of [[malware]] that restricts [[access]] to a [[device]] unless the victim pays to have it unlocked.<ref>[[Cybersecurity in the Golden State]], Security Breach, Malware.</ref>}}
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{{Quote|[a] [[malicious]] form of [[software]] that [[lock]]s your [[computer]] or [[file]]s and requires you to pay money to get the [[decryption]] [[code]] to [[unlock]] your [[file]]s or [[device]].<ref>[[Cybersecurity A Primer for State Utility Regulators]], App. B.</ref>}}
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{{Quote|a form of [[malicious software]] ("[[malware]]") designed to [[block]] [[access]] to a [[computer system]] or [[data]], often by [[encrypt]]ing [[data]] or [[program]]s on [[information technology]] ([[IT]]) [[system]]s to [[extort]] ransom payments from victims in exchange for [[decrypt]]ing the [[information]] and restoring victims' [[access]] to their [[system]]s or [[data]].<ref>[[Advisory on Ransomware and the Use of the Financial System to Facilitate Ransom Payments]], at 1. "In some cases, in addition to the [[attack]], the [[perpetrator]]s threaten to publish sensitive files belonging to the victims, which can be individuals or business entities (including [[financial institution]]s). The consequences of a ransomware [[attack]] can be severe and far-reaching &mdash; with losses of [[sensitive information|sensitive]], [[proprietary information|proprietary]], and [[critical information]] and/or loss of business functionality." ''Id.'' at 1-2.</ref>}}
   
 
{{Quote|a type of [[malware]] which restricts [[access]] to the [[computer system]] that it [[infect]]s, and demands a ransom be paid in order for the restriction to be removed.<ref>[[Digital Currencies: Response to the Call for Information]], at 11 n.1.</ref>}}
  
{{Quote|a type of [[malware]] which restricts [[access]] to the [[computer system]] that it [[infect]]s, and demands a ransom be paid in order for the restriction to be removed.<ref>[[Digital Currencies: Response to the Call for Information]], at 11 n.1.</ref>}}
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{{Quote|a type of [[malware]] ([[malicious software]]) distinct from other [[malware]]; its defining characteristic is that it attempts to deny [[access]] to a [[user]]'s [[data]], usually by [[encrypt]]ing the [[data]] with a [[key]] known only to the [[hacker]] who [[deploy]]ed the [[malware]], until a ransom is paid. After the [[user]]'s [[data]] is [[encrypt]]ed, the ransomware directs the [[user]] to pay the ransom to the [[hacker]] (usually in a [[cryptocurrency]], such as [[Bitcoin]]) in order to receive a [[decryption key]]. However, [[hacker]]s may [[deploy]] ransomware that also [[destroy]]s or [[exfiltrate]]s [[data]], or ransomware in conjunction with other [[malware]] that does so.<ref>[[FACT SHEET: Ransomware and HIPAA]], at 1.</ref>}}
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{{Quote|a form of [[malware]] that targets your [[critical data]] and [[system]]s for the purpose of [[extortion]].<ref>[[How to Protect Your Networks from Ransomware]], at 2.</ref>}}
   
 
== Overview ==
  
== Overview ==
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More sophisticated ransomware may be a hybrid &mdash; [[encrypt]] the victim's [[plaintext]] with a random [[symmetric key]] and a fixed [[public key]]. The [[malware]] author is the only party that knows the needed private [[decryption]] [[key]]. The author who carries out this cryptoviral [[extortion]] attack offers to recover the [[symmetric key]] for a fee.
  
More sophisticated ransomware may be a hybrid &mdash; [[encrypt]] the victim's [[plaintext]] with a random [[symmetric key]] and a fixed [[public key]]. The [[malware]] author is the only party that knows the needed private [[decryption]] [[key]]. The author who carries out this cryptoviral [[extortion]] attack offers to recover the [[symmetric key]] for a fee.
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Ransomware is illegal under the [[Computer Fraud and Abuse Act]].<ref>[[Cybersecurity: Selected Issues for the 115th Congress]], at 3.</ref>
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== FBI Recommendations to stop ransomware attacks ==
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The [[FBI]] recommends users consider implementing the following prevention and continuity measures to lessen the risk of a successful [[ransomware attack]].
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* Regularly [[back up]] [[data]] and [[verify]] the [[integrity]] of those [[backup]]s. [[Backup]]s are critical in [[ransomware]] [[incident]]s; if you are [[infect]]ed, [[backup]]s may be the best way to recover your [[critical data]].
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* [[Secure]] your [[backup]]s. Ensure [[backup]]s are not [[connect]]ed to the [[computer]]s and networks they are backing up. Examples might include securing backups in the cloud or physically [[storing]] them [[offline]]. It should be noted, some instances of [[ransomware]] have the capability to [[lock]] [[cloud-based]] [[backup]]s when [[system]]s continuously [[back up]] in [[real-time]], also known as [[persistent synchronization]].
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* Scrutinize [[link]]s contained in [[e-mail]]s and do not open [[attachment]]s included in [[unsolicited]] [[e-mail]]s.
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* Only [[download]] [[software]] &mdash; especially free [[software]] &mdash; from [[site]]s you know and [[trust]]. When possible, [[verify]] the [[integrity]] of the [[software]] through a [[digital signature]] prior to [[execution]].
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* Ensure [[application]] [[patch]]es for the [[operating system]], [[software]], and [[firmware]] are up to date, including Adobe [[Flash]], [[Java]], [[Web browser]]s, etc.
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* Ensure [[anti-virus]] and [[anti-malware]] solutions are set to [[automatic]]ally [[update]] and regular [[scan]]s are conducted.
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* [[Disable]] [[macro]] [[script]]s from [[file]]s [[transmit]]ted via [[e-mail]]. Consider using Office Viewer [[software]] to open Microsoft Office [[file]]s [[transmit]]ted via [[e-mail]] instead of full Office Suite [[application]]s.
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* [[Implement]] [[software]] restrictions or other controls to prevent the [[execution]] of [[program]]s in common ransomware locations, such as temporary [[folder]]s supporting popular [[Internet browser]]s, or [[compression]]/[[decompression]] [[program]]s, including those located in the AppData/LocalAppData folder.
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Additional considerations for businesses include the following:
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* Focus on awareness and training. Because [[end user]]s are often targeted, [[employee]]s should be made aware of the [[threat]] of ransomware, how it is delivered, and trained on [[information security]] principles and techniques.
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* [[Patch]] all [[endpoint]] [[device]] [[operating system]]s, [[software]], and [[firmware]] as [[vulnerabilities]] are discovered. This precaution can be made easier through a centralized [[patch management]] [[system]].
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* Manage the use of [[privileged account]]s by [[implement]]ing the principle of [[least privilege]]. No [[user]]s should be assigned [[administrative access]] unless absolutely needed. Those with a need for [[administrator account]]s should only use them when necessary; they should operate with standard [[user account]]s at all other times.
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* [[Configure]] [[access control]]s with [[least privilege]] in mind. If a user only needs to [[read]] specific [[file]]s, he or she should not have [[write access]] to those [[file]]s, [[directories]], or [[share]]s.
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* Use [[virtualized]] environments to [[execute]] [[operating system]] environments or specific programs.
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* Categorize [[data]] based on organizational value, and [[implement]] physical/[[logical]] separation of [[network]]s and [[data]] for different organizational units. For example, sensitive research or [[business data]] should not reside on the same [[server]] and/or [[network]] segment as an organization's [[e-mail]] environment.
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* Require [[user interaction]] for [[end user]] [[application]]s [[communicating]] with [[Web site]]s uncategorized by the [[network proxy]] or [[firewall]]. Examples include requiring users to type in [[information]] or enter a [[password]] when the [[system]] communicates with an uncategorized [[Web site]].
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* [[Implement]] [[application]] [[whitelisting]]. Only allow [[system]]s to [[execute]] [[program]]s known and permitted by [[security policy]].
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== Specific Ransomware ==
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Ransomware includes the following;
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* [[CryptoWall]]
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* [[CTB-Locker]]
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* [[Locky]]
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* [[SAMSAM]]
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* [[TeslaCrypt]]
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* [[WannaCry]]
   
 
== References ==
  
== References ==
 
<references />
  
<references />
   
−
== External resource ==
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== Source ==
   
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* "FBI Recommendations to stop ransomware attacks" section: [[Ransomware Victims Urged to Report Infections to Federal Law Enforcement]].
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* [[Microsoft]], "What is ransomware?" ([http://www.microsoft.com/security/resources/ransomware-whatis.aspx full-text]).
  
   
 
== See also ==
  
== See also ==
   
 
* [["Drive-by" ransomware]]
  
* [["Drive-by" ransomware]]
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* [[FACT SHEET: Ransomware and HIPAA]]
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* [[How to Protect Your Networks from Ransomware]]
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* [[Ransomware and Recent Variants]]
 
* [[Ransomware on the Rise: FBI and Partners Working to Combat This Cyber Threat]]
  
* [[Ransomware on the Rise: FBI and Partners Working to Combat This Cyber Threat]]
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* [[State ransomware and computer extortion laws]]
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== External resources ==
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  ⚫
* [[Microsoft]], "What is ransomware?" ([http://www.microsoft.com/security/resources/ransomware-whatis.aspx full-text]).
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* [http://www.howtouninstall.guide/process-to-decrypt-ransomware/ Decrypt Ransomware]
   
   

Latest revision as of 04:49, 5 January 2021

Definitions[]

Ransomware is

“ [a] form of malware that restricts access to a device unless the victim pays to have it unlocked.[1] ”
“ [a] malicious form of software that locks your computer or files and requires you to pay money to get the decryption code to unlock your files or device.[2] ”
“ a form of malicious software ("malware") designed to block access to a computer system or data, often by encrypting data or programs on information technology (IT) systems to extort ransom payments from victims in exchange for decrypting the information and restoring victims' access to their systems or data.[3] ”
“ a type of malware which restricts access to the computer system that it infects, and demands a ransom be paid in order for the restriction to be removed.[4] ”
“ a type of malware (malicious software) distinct from other malware; its defining characteristic is that it attempts to deny access to a user's data, usually by encrypting the data with a key known only to the hacker who deployed the malware, until a ransom is paid. After the user's data is encrypted, the ransomware directs the user to pay the ransom to the hacker (usually in a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin) in order to receive a decryption key. However, hackers may deploy ransomware that also destroys or exfiltrates data, or ransomware in conjunction with other malware that does so.[5] ”
“ a form of malware that targets your critical data and systems for the purpose of extortion.[6] ”

Overview[]

Ransomware typically propagates as a conventional computer worm, entering a system through, for example, a vulnerability in a network service or an e-mail attachment. It may then:

  • Disable an essential system service or lock the display at system startup.
  • Encrypt some of the user's personal files. Encrypting ransomware were originally referred to as cryptoviruses, cryptotrojans or cryptoworms.

In both cases, the malware may extort by:

  • Prompting the user to enter a code obtainable only after wiring payment to the attacker or sending an SMS message and accruing a charge.
  • Urging the user to buy a decryption or removal tool.

More sophisticated ransomware may be a hybrid — encrypt the victim's plaintext with a random symmetric key and a fixed public key. The malware author is the only party that knows the needed private decryption key. The author who carries out this cryptoviral extortion attack offers to recover the symmetric key for a fee.

Ransomware is illegal under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.[7]

FBI Recommendations to stop ransomware attacks[]

The FBI recommends users consider implementing the following prevention and continuity measures to lessen the risk of a successful ransomware attack.

Additional considerations for businesses include the following:

Specific Ransomware[]

Ransomware includes the following;

References[]

  1. ↑ Cybersecurity in the Golden State, Security Breach, Malware.
  2. ↑ Cybersecurity A Primer for State Utility Regulators, App. B.
  3. ↑ Advisory on Ransomware and the Use of the Financial System to Facilitate Ransom Payments, at 1. "In some cases, in addition to the attack, the perpetrators threaten to publish sensitive files belonging to the victims, which can be individuals or business entities (including financial institutions). The consequences of a ransomware attack can be severe and far-reaching — with losses of sensitive, proprietary, and critical information and/or loss of business functionality." Id. at 1-2.
  4. ↑ Digital Currencies: Response to the Call for Information, at 11 n.1.
  5. ↑ FACT SHEET: Ransomware and HIPAA, at 1.
  6. ↑ How to Protect Your Networks from Ransomware, at 2.
  7. ↑ Cybersecurity: Selected Issues for the 115th Congress, at 3.

Source[]

See also[]

External resources[]


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