Ransomware: A modern form of extortion

- [Instructor] Let's have a look at a particular … form of malware known as ransomware. … For targets with current backups, being hit with ransomware … is just a nuisance. … But for those without, it can be a very expensive lesson … in practical cyber security. … Instead of stealing information, ransomware encrypts … files or storage systems on its targets … to lock out their legitimate owner … and then demands payment for the decryption key. … Asymmetric encryption is typically used for this. … Let's look at a contemporary example of ransomware. … CryptoLocker emerged in 2013 and was the most prevalent … variant of ransomware until mid 2014 … when new variants such as TorrentLocker … and Cryptowall took over. … CryptoLocker was extraordinarily successful … with an estimaated 234,000 victims. … It used phishing campaigns to opportunistically … target its victims. … These campaigns included the FedEx and UPS … you-have-a-parcel email which includes a hyperlink … to a malicious Website where the malware exists. …