The Age of Ransomware

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the world's most frightening cybersecurity threat known as ransomware. Experts popularly describe ransomware as scareware that makes data and resources on a victims' computers inaccessible and forces the victims to pay a ransom with bitcoins or through other means by frightening and intimidating them. Ransomware these days needs no introduction. The perpetrators behind ransomware have done more than enough damage to critical infrastructures and collected billions of dollars from victims across the world and are still collecting. As such, this research aims at uncovering the underlying mysteries behind the sudden growth and popularity of ransomware through the in-depth study of literature and efforts made by experts globally in understanding ransomware and how to fight and stop it. Moreover, the research seeks to bring together the collective professionals' views and recommendations on how to set up strategic defense in-depth for fighting against ransomware.