Analysis and prevention techniques for ransomware attacks

Abstract

This research project is focused on the analysis of ransomware attacks and ways to counteract it. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data making it inaccessible and to decrypt it the cyberattackers pay a ransom, usually economic. The project consists of 4 parts and it is proposed first to carry out a compilation of studies related to ransomware attacks using meta-analysis. Subsequently, the most common ransomwares and the characteristics of the attacks by location, type of companies, economy and software are known. In this part, the impact of ransomware at a global level is statistically detailed. In the third part, a WannaCry ransomware attack, considered the most common, is simulated in a virtual machine, and the infection and data encryption process is also detailed.