What is a ransomware attack? What is the story of ransomware invention?

Ransomware has evolved significantly over the years. It first emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as simple programs that would lock users out of their computers until a “ransom” was paid. The more modern form of ransomware, which encrypts files and demands payment in cryptocurrency for decryption, started gaining prevalence in the early 2010s. The early versions of ransomware were relatively easy to decrypt, but as cybercriminals developed more sophisticated techniques, ransomware became a more potent threat.

The most famous ransomware attack, WannaCry, occurred in 2017 and infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide by exploiting vulnerabilities in older versions of Windows. Since then, ransomware attacks have become more frequent and complex, targeting individuals, businesses, and even critical infrastructure.

Cybercriminals have also started using “ransomware as a service” (RaaS) models, where they provide ransomware toolkits to other criminals in exchange for a cut of the profits. This has lowered the barrier to entry for conducting ransomware attacks, leading to even more widespread incidents.

Ransomware attacks continue to evolve, with cybercriminals developing new tactics to evade detection and maximize their profits. Staying vigilant, maintaining up-to-date security measures, and regularly backing up data are essential defenses against this growing threat.