How much money do ransomware attackers typically demand?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment in order to restore access. Payments are typically made in cryptocurrency, and are often demanded in relatively small amounts – typically a few hundred dollars. However, the amount of money demanded can vary greatly, depending on the type of ransomware used, the amount of data encrypted, and the perceived value of the data to the victim. In some cases, attackers have demanded tens of thousands of dollars for the decryption key.
It is important to note that paying a ransom does not guarantee that access to the encrypted files will be restored. In some cases, victims have paid the ransom but never received the decryption key. In other cases, the decryption key provided by the attackers does not work. For these reasons, it is generally not recommended to pay a ransom. However, some victims decide to pay the ransom because they perceive the data to be of high personal or business value and are willing to take the risk.
If you are a victim of ransomware, you should first try to restore your files from a backup, if you have one. If you do not have a backup, you should attempt to use a free decryption tool, if one is available for the type of ransomware you are dealing with. If neither of these options is feasible, you may need to decide whether or not to pay the ransom. If you do decide to pay, you should only use cryptocurrency that you are willing to lose, as there is no guarantee that you will get your files back even if you do make the payment.See page
What are the most common ransomware strains?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom be paid in order to decrypt and regain access to them. ransomware strains are commonly seen in the wild, with some variants more prevalent than others.
The most common ransomware strains include:
Locky: Locky was first seen in February 2016 and has since become one of the most prevalent ransomware strains. Locky targets both individuals and businesses, encrypting files with a robust AES-256 encryption algorithm. A ransom of 0.5 to 1 Bitcoin is typically demanded for the decryptor.
Cerber: Cerber was first seen in March 2016 and is another common ransomware strain that targets both individuals and businesses. Cerber uses AES-256 encryption and demands a ransom of 1 Bitcoin.
CryptXXX: CryptXXX was first seen in April 2016 and is a ransomware strain that primarily targets businesses. CryptXXX uses both RSA-2048 and AES-256 encryption algorithms and demands a ransom of 3 Bitcoins.
TeslaCrypt: TeslaCrypt was first seen in February 2015 and primarily targets individuals. TeslaCrypt uses the RSA algorithm and demands a ransom of 1 to 4 Bitcoins.
CTB-Locker: CTB-Locker was first seen in August 2014 and primarily targets businesses. CTB-Locker uses RSA encryption and demands a ransom of 0.5 to 1 Bitcoin.
CryptoLocker: CryptoLocker was first seen in September 2013 and was one of the first ransomware strains to gain widespread notoriety. CryptoLocker uses RSA encryption and demands a ransom of 2 to 3 Bitcoins.
These are just a handful of the most common ransomware strains that have been seen in the wild in recent years. While many of these strains specifically target businesses, individuals are increasingly becoming targets as well. Ransomware is a serious threat and can have devastating consequences for both individuals and organizations. Be sure to have a robust backup strategy in place to protect yourself from this type of malware.
We used malwarezero.org to write this article about ransomware. Learn more.